Markeaton <1>
Wednesday evening
My dear Henry
I do not feel any great desire to remain at Malvern <2> or anywhere else, while the weather is so unsettled – but suppose at any rate that we agree upon Malvern as a place of meeting whereat to consult on the expediency of returning home – I have now a vacant place by the carriage which I know you don’t dislike in fine weather. – but whether you chuse to avail yourself of it or not I think you may as well come to Malvern since it cannot lie much out of your road. – So I will go there on Friday & be ready for you, though I don’t suppose you can arrive there before Sunday – & I will write by tomorrow’s post to secure rooms at the Bellvue. Harriot <3> is rather disappointed that you will not come to see her; – she had actually ordered a room to be prepared in case of your sudden arrival – It would have been charming had you come unexpectedly & met Mr Banks who is staying here for a day or two – Tomorrow if fine we are going to a Bazaar at Melbourne – the stalls are to be tastefully disposed in the interior of the Gardens, & as I have never been there I think it will be very pleasant & I hope to see the church too. Buxton continues very full. – Caroline <4> is to leave the plan in about ten days & Harriot who is anxious to see her before she goes, can scarcely squeeze herself into any of the hotels. – I am writing to the Newspaper office – to direct Gt Malvern as before – & you can change it again when you please – Tomorrow after the Bazaar, my brother has a small dinner party. I can scarcely feel disappointed about the Lakes since the weather is so unsettled. – The children are quite thriving –
Your affectionate
Constance
Notes:
1. Markeaton Hall, Derbyshire, NW of Derby: home of the Mundy family.
2. Malvern, or Great Malvern, 9 mi SW of Worcestershire.
3. Harriot Georgiana Mundy, née Frampton (1806-1886), WHFT’s cousin & sister-in-law.
4. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.