Dearest Mary,

We buried you yesterday.

Lord and Lady Richardson paid for everything and we put your grave under the shade of a tree because I know how much you hate sitting in the sun. Luke said he will plant some tulips when the season is right; he knows how much you loved them.

It is hard to believe that just a few weeks have passed since your death, it feels like an eternity. I cannot sleep in our room anymore, it reminds me too much of you and what happened. Perhaps I'm being stupid. I half expect you to walk in, red hair all over the place, a small tear in your stockings. Of course, that will never happen.

I am sure you will be pleased to know that someone will be facing the hangman's noose. I will not be putting his time to paper because I do not think him worthy of a thought. The courts have all but decided he is set to pay for his crimes with his life, not that there was ever much doubt in that.

Luke and I have spent a lot of time together these past few weeks. He is helping me to come to terms with all that happened and I will be forever grateful that I have him to lean on. Maybe you were right about him and me.

For the time being, I have decided to stay employed under the Richardson's. I considered leaving because I did believe I could continue without you, but then I came to realise just how much I need those around me. Even Benedict. I never would have been able to make it through it all without them.

I miss you every day and I am sure I will miss you for the rest of my life. Luke thought it might be a good idea to use my journal to write to you, to tell you about everything that is going on. He said it might help.

I hope it does.

Until next time.

Love, Jane.

~~~

First Published - March 2nd, 2022