My dear Mr Talbot
I am very glad that in the midst of many engagements we are disengaged at a time when you can come to us – We are at liberty from Tuesday the 16th to Saturday the 21st & shall hope to see you at that time – if we hear nothing to the contrary we shall expect you Tuesday – I must however explain that I am afraid we shall be obliged to put you in a room at the top of the house but if you do not mind that & its being small I hope you may find it warm & not uncomfortable – On Tuesday you will find us alone, but the next day we expect Sir James & Lady Fraser, Mr Bankes <1> & I hope all the Framptons <2> for the Blandford Ball which is on Friday the 20th. At all events [?&?] Charlton come to us, but the rest may be prevented by Ly Mary Cole <3> being with them
We had great pleasure in meeting Lady Valletort at Moreton <4> & thought her looking remarkably well. With our united kind regards believe me
Sincerely yours
Harriet Ker Sey[mer] <5>
Hanford <6>
Jany 6th
Henry F. Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Henry Bankes (1757-1835), politician.
2. Lady Harriet Frampton, née Fox Strangways (d. 1844) and her husband James Frampton (1769–1855), High Sheriff.
3. Lady Mary Lucy Cole, née Strangways, first m. Talbot (1776–1855), WHFT’s aunt.
4. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister. Moreton, Dorset: home of the Frampton family
5. Text torn away under seal.
6. Dorset.