My most dear Mme Heloise D'Armagnac

[Monique Adelina De'Ath]

Mon cherie,

All Paris was alert to your recent arrival but none more so than me!

Allow me to formally introduce myself, although, no doubt, you surely have already heard much about me and how highly I am regarded by my fellow nobles and the people of Paris. 

It pains me to think of a precious flower like yourself left alone and unknowing in a city so full of rogues and rascals because that second rate Commissioner of Public Safety cannot undertake his job properly. This is just a short aside here but I am aiming to secure this position in the not too distant future so, when I do, it will be at a time when I remember who my true friends have been and, of course, my sweet belles! 

Now the reason I am writing to you is to extend my hand in friendship and offer to escort you to my club, Bothwells, a most prestigious establishment, not for your riff-raff, as my personal guest where, perhaps, we may get to know each other better.....I would add here that my own lodgings are nearby so...well....if you feel a little tired afterwards you are more than welcome to rest at my place....I think you get my drift you flighty young minx. I can see that you and I are destined for greater things and with me as your patron type, best friend, seedy stalker, chaperone sort of type you'll soon be climbing the social elite ranks of Paris. Think, Heloise, just think with Docteur De'Ath, Sieur De'Ath no less, by your side the world's your oyster and I can also throw in some free medical cover for life!! In fact we can always conduct your first check up back at mine after we visit my club.....phwwwoooar, eh....

I look forward to your reply,

Love & kisses

Bastian

P.S Oh, I almost forgot I've had this damned women following me around for the last month, bless her a 'mental case, an ailment to the brain' and I can't quite seem to shake her off, name's Bertha, absolute fruitcake, but if you're seen with me perhaps she'll clear off. Anyway ignore her my sweet, this is just us remember xx

[Madame Heloise D'Armagnac]

Mon Sieur Le Docteur,

Your kindness to consider a poor widow like myself is much appreciated. I would be honored and flattered to visit Bothwell's with you. As my post-mourning calendar is now quite open, please be so kind as to let me know when I might have the pleasure of making your acquaintance and visiting with you. Certainly all Paris is familiar with your name and reputation. I have a humble home in Charrone. Would you be picking me up in your carriage?

As you may know, my husband was much older than I and often passed the age of enjoying the social life of the city. I am still young and, though sobered by marriage and my education at the Convent of Our Lady of Perpetual Ardor, I am eager to discover and enjoy the social life of Paris. I am somewhat embarrassed to admit that I am not familiar with all of the au courrant terms in your missive. I hope that you might be patient with me while I bring myself up to date.

Respectfully,

Mme. H. D'Armagnac

PS - I would be most remiss to exclude from this missive my felicitations for your forthcoming elevation. I believe we share a devotion and reverence for our Most Christian King. Your life of service to His Majesty is well known, and I hope that I may, in a manner appropriate to the limitations of my sex, also serve. May God Bless you and His Majesty!

[Madame Heloise D'Armagnac]

Mon Sieur Le Docteur

I've just received a most gracious invitation to the Steeplechase in the second week of October from the Duc de Chevreuse and Mlle leBeau. Would it be possible to arrange our visit to Bothwell's for some time other than the second week of October?

Respectfully

Mme. H. D'Armangnac

[Monique Adelina De'Ath]

Mon Cherie,

Hurrah, a most wise choice to seek the strengthening of relations between us, I feel that we can go much further and the names of De'Ath & D'Armangnac are destined for great things, the Double D's and who can't admire double D's eh!!

Yes, I'm also off to the Races so let's make it Week 1 for our meet up and I will send my carriage for you. Let's have a few glasses together and then I'll show you the sights of Paris....nudge nudge...wink wink...I'll make sure I send that Bertha woman off to Music School again so she is not hanging around....damned nuisance....from now on it's me and you mon cherie, us against the world and us for glory!

Yours in great esteem,

Docteur Bastian Anton De'Ath
Chevalier of France
Premier, and popular, Physician to the people of Paris
Royal Executioner
Family docteur to the rich and famous

[Madame Heloise D'Armagnac]

Mon Sieur Le Docteur

I greet your missive with delight and humility. The prospect of ending this period of mourning with invigorating sights and invigorating company brings me great joy. I look forward to your visit to my humble abode in Charonne and our visit together to Bothwell's. I have never had the pleasure of the prospect of such an entertaining evening among the Parisian elite. I hope that I will not embarrass you with my simplicity. And I do hope that you enjoy dancing as much as I! I look forward to our rendez vous in the first week of October.

Respectfully

Mme. H. D'Armagnac

[Madame Heloise D'Armagnac]

Monsieur Le Docteur

Please excuse the tardiness of this note of thanks for our evening at Bothwell's. Rising to life again as a phoenix from the ashes after the death of my dear late husband, this first month of returning to lively Parisian society has been a whirlwind. A whirlwind of delight mind you. I did not realize how limited the dance space might be, nor how close everyone was to each other. Nonetheless, it was truly a delight to enjoy the evening with you. A thousand thanks for a thousand memories.

As promised, I include here the address of my dressmaker: Madame Romcomme, 14 Rue des Renards. She was recommended to me by my cousin, Baroness Drole, before my wedding. I am so glad you explained to me your interest in textiles and dressmaking, otherwise I might have taking your constant touching as somewhat ungentlemanly. I agree with you that Mme Romcomme does especially fine work, but had I not had your expert attention on the details of the darting of my bodice, I myself might have overlooked the quality of her craft.

As for the accident with the lace, please think nothing of it. I am very skilled in embroidery and other handwork and was able to make a small repair of the torn portion. I regret my surprise and the manner in which I recoiled at the touch of your hand on my neck. I didn't expect it and reacted inelegantly. Had I known in advance of your interest in lace, I might not have had such a thoughtless urge. I consider the torn lace to be entirely my fault.

The origin of the lace I do not know as it came to me from Maman. I have written her to ask its origin and have yet to receive a reply. I know that her French lace comes from a woman named Ardette in Normandie, and that she also prefers Venetian lace. I am afraid that I am not the scholar that you are and can not yet discern the fine differences between them.

As for the odd question you raised about my undergarments, I confirmed with my maid that they are entirely of silk. In future, notwithstanding your expertise in textiles, I would prefer you to desist from inspecting their texture while I am wearing them. I admit to some naivete regarding Parisian manners, but the appearance of a man on his knees inspecting their fabric and the construction of my private habille leaves me with some discomfort. My apologies if I am not a la mode in this regard. Your comment that you expected a "great ball of wool" to be found amidst the silk still puzzles me. Please do not feel the need to clarify.

I do appreciate your offer to visit your abode and sample your sausage collection. My grandmother's cook made a delicious Savoyard sausage that I still remember well. But both Maman and Papa suffered terribly from the gout so I have limited my appetite for sausage. Perhaps for a special occasion like Easter or Michealmas - or the King's birthday. But until then, I am afraid I must decline for reasons of health.

Again, my apologies for taking so long to send my thanks and the answers to the questions with which you left me. I do look forward to seeing you again especially if dancing might be involved.

Respectfully,

Mme. H. D'Armagnac

[Monique Adelina De'Ath]

Mon cherie,

What a spellbound week we had, my dreams have been most sweet ever since.

Of course, I should have taken into account more your fresh introduction to the frivolaties and ways of the social scene and what may have seemed strange to you is, in fact, completely normal in Paris....at least when one is in the company of a Chevalier of France, Paris's premier physician and the Royal Executioner.

You see my interest in your apparel was accompanied by my concern as a physician as to your overall general health and wellbeing. My touch upon your neck was simply to feel if your jugular was strong and vibrant, always a good sign of health, and my observation of your legs and thighs, undertaken as such was upon my knees, merely to ascertain the likelihood of your capacity to spend the week with me strolling around the sites of the city. I feel I should further add my constant glancing towards your upper diaphram area was to check you had no obvious respiratory issues, better to be safe than sorry!

It's also a well known fact within medical circles that loose fitting undergarments, those made of silk, are the best clothing items as they allow the body to breathe freely, hence another reason I thought it best to double check you were all ok in that department.

Such a shame you never had the opportunity to observe my sausage collection, I did have a very special one ready for you to sample....I think you'll have found it divine....but I'm sure a future opportunity will present itself, I saw you made mention of Easter or Michealmass so I'll be in touch with details of a future arrangement for us to share a week together.

Yours,

Bastian

[Madame Heloise D'Armagnac]

Monsieur Le Docteur

I heard a rumor that you might attend the soiree chez M. Hoffman in the third week in November. I would never wish to impose myself on you, but wondered if you would consider chaperoning me to the evening. As you know, I am trying to forge a new life for myself in the wake of my period of morning. As yet I know few men whose intentions I can trust and on whose sagacious behavior I might depend. You know I do enjoy vivacious company and the opportunity for dancing, and I did so enjoy our visit to Bothwell's.

Respectfully,

Mme. H. D'Armagnac

[Monique Adelina De'Ath]

Mon cherie,

I knew it wouldn't be long before you sought my company once more, after the splendid week that we previously shared. The good thing is you protected your reputation by simply sharing fine foods, wine and conversation so no-one can accuse you of being of 'easy virtue' now.

Most certainly I will accept your request that I chaperone you to Lieutenant Hoffman's little soiree and I'll be sure to stock up on wines and quality champagnes since you had such a healthy appetite for such during our first encounter!

As for dancing, I must admit my prowess on the dance floor could do with some refreshing and tuning but if anyone is likely to lead me on a merry dance I suspect it is you my dear and I cannot wait to be your pupil in such undertakings!

I'll have my carriage collect you in week 3 of November, leave everything up to me. What's more I just happen to have a special little 'elixir' that is known to 'relax' the nerves and make any party go with a bang. All one needs do is add it to a drink and then...hoorah...away you go for a night to remember*.

See you soon cherie,

Bastian

* Actually there is sometimes a slight side effect in that you may not quite remember everything but don't worry if that happens I can let you know about anything you don't quite recall but have no fear it's all perfectly safe and a small price to pay for having a great time.