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My dearest, Camilla
We have arrived in Rome with little fanfare and I am beginning to regret inviting Bunny. As I write this, he is snoring loudly in my bed, and he was no better on the ride here. I had forgotten how miserable it was to share a space with him, and I do not know how I should manage the remainder of the trip.
He complained incessantly on the way here about the manner of things. The seats were not as nice as he wanted them to be, nor the weather as sweet, and I believe during all his ramblings he also threatened to vomit on me. I’m afraid that this trip has been a mistake for my own health, but not a complete misstep. I haven’t heard a word or whisper of November's events from Bunny, save from a rather sour comment about not being invited.
I wish I could call, though I doubt you would answer. I believe it would be around midnight for you as I pen this letter, and I don’t want to wake you, and I am quite tired myself. However, I will enclose the address of our hotel in the postscript of this letter, so that way you might write back if it suits you.
Sincerely,
Henry
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Dearest Henry,
I’m awfully sorry to hear about how awful Bunny has been! I know that you were excited for the trip, and I hope that he hasn’t managed to ruin it for you quite yet. I would love to call you, but it is quite expensive, and Nana is already pressed about the cost of long-distance mail, but I told her I simply must respond to you, and Richard and Francis of course. Charles wishes he could write, but he simply cannot find the time.
Charles does, however, tell me to say hello to you, and that he wishes he could have gone to Rome instead. Nana also sends her regards, of course, but she all but demanded you come over for the winter holiday. You can imagine my shock when Charles and I came home to Freewater only for Nana to ask “Where’s that Winter boy?” I think she’s rather shocked that you and I didn’t run off to New York again this winter. When I told her you were in Rome, all she said was “hmph, I suppose that’s alright,” In the way that Nana does. Honestly, I believe she is rather fond of you.
Is the weather any better in Rome than it is in Freewater? The heat has been something terrible, though it feels silly to complain about such a thing when I don’t know your condition. I quite enjoyed your last letter, and I will admit, I am excited for the next one!
Yours,
Camilla
P.S. Also, Nana has bought me a set of expensive colored inks for my dip pens as an early Christmas gift! What do you think of this one? It’s called Firelight, and I quite like the way it looks almost crimson on the paper.
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My dearest, Camilla
Bunny has, regrettably, only gotten worse since I sent my last letter, and I am beginning to think that this may not work. He heckles me often about the night of the bacchanal and is not pleased by anything. He keeps complaining about the number of churches we visit–imagine complaining about churches when in Rome! We are, quite literally, in what remains of the Holy Roman Empire! It’s something so absurd to me, but I digress.
Tell your Nana and Charles I say hello, and I also must admit, I am quite fond of the woman myself. She seems quite brilliant, and I’m sure your own intelligence comes from her side of the family, and I have included a postcard for her in the envelope. Bunny wants me to tell you he says hello, and it is all I can do to stop him from reading over my shoulder as I write this.
We visited the remains of the Colosseum yesterday, and the weather was brilliant. I don’t think I've ever seen a sky quite that blue before, nor sunlight so brilliant, not even in the country. It truly is wonderful here, and if I had not gone to Hampton I think I would have liked to study here. The language is also quite beautiful, and I think you would like it quite a bit. I’d love to hear you speak it someday, too.
The weather is generally quite nice, not too hot nor too cold. Is it truly so hot in Freewater? I remember it being dreadfully hot last year, but is this year worse? I truly do believe it shouldn’t be so hot in winter, and I believe you would love Missouri winters. Perhaps next year we could visit my hometown. Also, if I have my math right, this letter should arrive around Christmas Day so, Merry early Christmas, Camilla.
Sincerely,
Henry
P.S. The ink is very beautiful and very red. Bunny saw it and demanded some of his own. Also, tell your Grandmother that I think it was a lovely choice. It suits you.
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Dearest Henry,
Merry Christmas! It feels like weeks since we’ve last seen each other, and I miss you greatly! Nana loved her postcard, and says that if she wasn’t so old, she’d go to Rome herself! I’m so sorry about Bunny, though, and I cannot believe he is complaining about churches in Rome! They must be so beautiful there, and I wish I could see them, they must be so lovely! I would love to see it someday. I cannot believe he’s still pushing you about that night, you don’t think he’s becoming a true problem, do you? I’m afraid that he’ll tell someone–perhaps Richard? You must keep an eye on him, Henry. Though, do tell him I say hello, and that I’m sad he hasn’t sent me any letters of his own.
Is Rome really so beautiful? The way you describe it makes it sound almost heavenly, and it makes me long to see it more! It’s so fascinating, don’t you think? Studying in Rome sounds wonderful, though I am glad you came to Hampden. I’m afraid I wouldn’t truly know what to do without you.
And yes, Freewater is impossibly worse this year! It’s dreadfully humid, and sometimes I even wish I was back at Hampden! Missouri winter does sound lovely–does it snow often? I do love snow, though it never snows here. Do you have the same deep snow banks in Missouri, like Vermont has? I know it’s not ideal, but perhaps after we graduate, after all this business with Bunny cools down, perhaps we could spend winter break in Vermont, at Francis’s country house with all the others, if you’d like. I assure you, I haven’t changed at all from last year, and I remember you saying I was an excellent person to vacation with then.
Also, yes, you did get your math right. Merry Christmas again! I’ve put a new Mont Blanc pen in the envelope for you because I cannot send your whole Christmas present in the mail to you!
With Love,
Camilla
P.S. Thank you for the compliments on my ink! I told Nana what you said, and she says thank you! This ink is called Wreath, and if you turn it in the light, you can see the little flecks of gold in the green ink! I was tempted to use my new Alfred Hitchcock ink, you know the one, but I don’t want to waste it!
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My Dearest, Camilla
If I had not already been to Heaven, I would say Rome is Heaven on Earth. And I fear that Bunny is becoming a true problem as well, and I will have to keep an even closer eye on him. He has begun to torment me, truly, with his nitpicking of our abode and the constant complaining. I don’t think I can take it anymore. Your letters, however, do bring me quite a bit of joy. Your penmanship is excellent, you know, and I quite like reading it.
I’m glad I came to Hampden too, and I will admit, I would be deeply saddened without you in my life as well. We spent a lot of winter break together last year, and I fear it has spoiled me a bit, for I miss you so. Bunny becomes more and more grating, and I keep wishing you were here with me instead. I hear the most beautiful songs, and see the most beautiful flowers and exhibits and think of you, and how much you would love them. Perhaps we will come here together again someday. You were a wonderful roommate, Camilla, and I think that all of us could spend a winter together in the country, but I’d prefer it if it was just us, don’t you think?
I believe Bunny has taken my other pen, so thank you for this one. Does it also have Hitchcock ink? I haven’t used it yet, but it looks like it could. I also purchased you a present, and I will give it to you when I return to the States.
Sincerely,
Henry
P.S. That ink was beautiful too, but don’t waste your Hitchcock on me, though I’m sure it’s beautiful. I can see the gold–it looks lovely and remarkably smooth.
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Dearest Henry,
I must visit then if it is so beautiful! And, of course, because you’ve already gone (and can speak some Italian already, I’m sure) then you’ll just have to come with me. It would cost much less than a tour guide and would be much better company, I’m sure. Thank you for your compliments about my penmanship, though, you do tell me this every break we are apart. I’m glad you like reading it, though, and I like yours too.
I have spoiled you? Oddly enough, that feels quite nice to hear, for I believe all partners deserve spoiling from time to time, and I would never be able to spoil you with wealth, so I must do it with memories instead. Foolish, I know, but don’t laugh–it’s something I enjoy. My mother did the same to my father, you know, and you seem like the kind of man who prefers memories instead of gifts anyways.
Speaking of gifts, I am quite excited to find out what you got me for Christmas! Don’t tell me, though, I do love surprises! Also, I think that your comment on thinking how I would like the music, or the sights, is certainly true, and it also feels like a very sweet compliment, in its own way.
I’m so sorry that this letter is so short, but Charles and I have to go with Nana to her appointment, and I dare not leave this out where anyone can see it. I miss you, though, and the feeling grows each day.
With Love,
Camilla
P.S. This is written in Hitchcock ink, because it is not a waste, and I love to write to you.
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My dearest, Camilla
This may be the worst headache I have ever experienced. Bunny is going through my things–I think he found my journal.
I can hear him shouting. I think I will return to the States soon, or perhaps I might die from the pain of this.
I am so sorry for the short letter. Hopefully, I will see you soon.
Yours Always,
Henry Winter