June 22, 1851

Ana,

We went visiting and such a lot I have to tell you! Hartfield is indeed opened up! When we entered the grounds, we immediately noticed they had been cleaned up. And they did bring slaves...more than our little town of Hickory has seen in quite some time. I didn't have any interactions with them, though we saw several. At least they seem well dressed. They certainly have done wonders with the grounds and house. We were led into the parlor, and you never would have guessed that the house was only opened days ago. The Grays of Hartfield have officially moved in.

Mr. Gray greeted us. Or rather, Daniel, for he insisted right off that we should call him by his first name since we are to be neighbors. He is every inch a Southern Gentleman, and has the loveliest southern drawl. True to his name, his eyes are a piercing blue-gray. Twas the first thing I noticed about him. He is of an average height, taller than me of course, but rather short compared to other men. He has brownish-red hair. I simply cannot decide which color it is. Just about the time I decide it is brown, I see the red glints and have to change all over again. He is lightly tanned, and has the lightest dusting of freckles. And he has a drawl. Its quite adorable.

Despite his friendliness mixed sweetly in with the Southern gentility, I do not like him. Not one bit. We were shown into the parlor by a teenage girl-slave. She cowered before us, and left silently. Then Daniel came in. After the introductions and perfunctory nonsense, I asked him if he planned to stay and farm Hartfield.

"Yes," he replied. "As you can see the slaves have done much with the place, and I think this will be a successful enterprise."

"Yes, I have noticed all the slaves you have brought. This is the most slaves Hickory has seen in many, many years. " I replied sweetly.

Grandmother gave me a sharp look. For all that she pretends to not know how fiercely we hate slavery, I think she picks up on more than she lets on. Daniel continued.

"Is that so, Miss Monroe? How do y'all keep your farms and stores running?" his voice was neutral, but there was a curious undertone to it...I can't put my finger on what it was, though.

"Well, we have hired hands, of both colors. Many are slaves that my father freed years ago. Pansy, for instance, our cook, has been with my family since before I was born. We own no slaves, although some of the families around town have a few house slaves." I replied, trying my best to sound cool and sophisticated.

"Oh, then you don't believe in keeping slaves?" his voice was cool and slightly amused, as if he was talking to a silly young child. Yet his eyes seemed to look right through me. It aggravated me greatly, but Grandmother was giving me unmistakable warning looks.

" My father freed the slaves of Buttercup Farm when Grandda gave it to him, years ago. We haven't owned slaves since. My parents hated slavery...and so do I." I started out carefully, heeding Grandmother's look, but I simply could not resist tacking on the last bit defiantly. Grandmother jutted in then.

"Please, forgive my Granddaughter. Don't blame a girl for idolizing the beliefs of ones she lost as a child. Had they lived for her to grow up, I am sure she would have seen that they and their lifestyle was not so perfect as she likes to believe. " She emphasized "girl" and I had to bite my tongue very hard to keep from retorting. Going on eighteen, and she still calls me a girl, Ana!

"I'm sorry for your loss." David directed the comment towards Grandmother, but he looked at me. This time, I am certain I saw pity in his eyes, which made me of course all the more furious.

"My parents were some of the most noble people ever born." I held my voice calm and cool. "I am proud to be their daughter. And when I inherit Buttercup Farm I intend to run it just as they did before me."

"Your husband will run Buttercup Farm, and you will be a good wife, like your mother before you." Grandmother said sharply to me. I opened my mouth to retort, but she caught my eye and I shut it, furious, but unwilling to embarrass myself further and get into more trouble.

The conversation drifted back to other, dull things. I mostly stayed silent, stewing. The only items of interest is that Daniel is the younger son of the Gray family, and has come up here for a while to resurrect this estate. He is living alone for now, but when he deems the place habitable, some of his family will join him. He also hinted at a dance being thrown in their honor at that time.

Altogether, it was a very frustrating visit. Daniel I hate already, how can I not? His lofty disdain toward me, and the fact that he owns slaves makes him despicable in my eyes. Of course, Grandmother finds him completely charming. It looks like I am will be stuck with his acquaintance, for now anyway. In the meantime, I am shut up here in our room for my "rudeness." You know how it goes, the icy stare, and then the "I think you would be best off spending some time in your room reflecting proper behavior" in the best Grandmother way. I miss you! In the meantime, I have spent enough time "reflecting."

Tell me everything that has happened to you in the city!

Mari