June 15, 1851

Dear Ana,

Everything is gloomsome and lonesome without you already. However can I bear it, living without my cousin-sister-twin? Grandda joked about finally being able to tell us apart, and of course immediately launched into the story of our mothers being twins, and now you and I being cousin-twins. Somehow, without you, it was a sad story. Now look, I promised myself I wouldn't write a depressing letter and look how I start.

Buttercup Farm is the same as always. Mark is out riding the new colt, and is giving me lofty looks as only scornful big brothers who are much too mighty for writing can give. Grandmother is down in the kitchen with Pansy. Pansy keeps trying to feed me, because blueberry biscuits can cure all ills, as you know. Maybe Grandda is right, they should pay her a bonus for them. Eating one as I write has made me feel a bit better.

Its home...sweet and rustic and lovely as always. I will be sending some of our special buttercups to you soon. Take care of them, and think of your cousin at Buttercup Farm, high in the North Carolina hills while you fritter your time away in the city.

Is is glorious? Everything we imagined? Have you gone dress shopping yet? Do remember to stay away from yellow. I know that you love it, but Darling, it makes us both look washed out. What is sharing a room with three other girls like? Is it beastly? At least you are used to being in a room with me. After that, how bad can they be? You must tell me Everything.

And Him. Have you met Him? Oh, Ana, I pray for you daily. You are so brave, going to meet Him! I would never have been able to go...even if it meant dishonoring an agreement my parents made as a child. But you have always been better than me like that. Your parents would be proud of you, Cousin. I hope one day I can do something that will make my parents smile down from Heaven at me like yours must be doing for you.

Reading over this letter, I realize I lied. Home is not the same. Someone has moved into the old Hartfield place! Can you believe it? All these years, and now apparently family from the South have come and moved in. Lilia told Pansy today when she was delivering some goods from town. Apparently the heir is a Young Man, a Southern Gentleman. But no one knows his name, or history. Is it not thrilling? We will go and pay a visit as soon as it is proper, of course. I wonder what type of man he is, being from the South. There are rumors of him bringing slaves to work the farm, though. Can you imagine? Slaves here. I mean, people around here have the scattered slaves for housework and such, but actually running a farm? I wonder how it all will turn out. Rest assured, I will guard the buttercups of our farm closer than ever.

Well, I must go. Its dinnertime, and if I don't eat Pansy will certainly make me drink some of her teas. Write me soon!

Love,

Marigold