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December 12, 1814

Mrs. Perceval Treacher

Peacock Hall

Yorkshire

My Dear Mrs. Treacher,

Pray do not think it presumptuous of me to write to you this way, with little in the way of introduction. I am the Marquess of St. Just, and I have the honor to reside at Montraffer Place, near Widgelyn Cross in Cornwall. Montraffer is a near neighbor to Trembledown, the estate that I understand came into your possession after the unfortunately premature demise of your late husband. Allow me, dear lady, to extend my belated condolences on that esteemed man’s untimely parting from this life. Though I could claim no great intimacy with your husband, Percy Treacher was remarked by all who knew him to be a man possessing a sober and punctilious character as well as a remarkable kennel of hounds.

As you may or may not be aware, Mrs. Treacher, Trembledown only recently fell into the possession of your husband’s family. Indeed, prior to a lamentable bet on a curricle race, the house and lands had been in the St. Just possession for many generations.

It has long been an ambition of mine to reunite the St. Just holdings of Trembledown and Montraffer. Therefore, I am pleased to inform you that I am willing to make a very generous offer for Trembledown, despite its lamentable state of deterioration.

With this intent, I have had my man of business draw up the necessary papers, which you will find enclosed. All that remains is for you to sign the sales agreement and return it to my direction. Upon its receipt, it will be my pleasure to release the funds to your man of affairs.

I trust you will believe me, madam, when I write that it gives me the utmost satisfaction to be of service to you.

Yours faithfully,

Sebastian Cavenaugh

The Marquess of St. Just

December 20, 1814

The Most Hon. the Marquess of St. Just

Montraffer Place

Cornwall

My Lord Marquess,

It was with the greatest interest and no small gratification that I read your recent letter. Your kind words about my late husband’s character and hounds honor his memory most fittingly.

I confess that I was wholly unaware of the history of Trembledown and your estimable family’s tenuous connection to it. That fact alone will make me appreciate my dear Percy’s legacy to me all the more.

For while I am gratified by your offer, I fear I must decline the honor you do me. In good conscience I could not part from an estate left to me by my departed husband, at least not before viewing the property myself. I am sure you can understand a widow’s sensibilities regarding this matter. While there was—unhappily!—no issue from our marriage to whom to pass Trembledown as a legacy, my husband surely had my own security at heart when he left the property to me. I am certain he would not have wanted me parted from it for less than its true value. A value which, despite whatever condition your relations left it in before their unfortunate gambits with curricles, I have always heard is considerable.

I hope to visit Cornwall within the next twelvemonth. After viewing my property, I will be happy to consider negotiating a sales price with you or your representative.

I have the honor to be,

Your Lordship’s obedient servant,

Mrs. Perceval Treacher

January 3, 1815

Mrs. Perceval Treacher

Peacock Hall

Yorkshire

Dear Mrs. Treacher,

Thank you for your swift reply to my letter of December. Alas, I must disbosom myself of a bit of confusion. It was my understanding that, to forfend an extended lawsuit, the Treacher family settled the unused property on you after your husband failed to provide for you to your satisfaction.

No doubt this was merely wicked rumor.

Nevertheless, while I am always sympathetic to a lady’s sensibilities regarding her doubtless much lamented husband, I fail to see that these should still be a factor some three years after said husband’s parting from this world. As for his providing for your security, you could do no better than to sell the property now, before it deteriorates further from its present condition—a state, I assure you, that has occurred since the property was acquired by the Treacher family.

Meaning no disrespect to yourself, I gleaned from your missive that perhaps your reluctance could more likely be ascribed to a desire for me to raise my offering price? If so, consider it done. I hereby raise the selling price to 10 percent over my original offer.

I am confident that this will soothe any widow’s qualms you may still entertain and you will see that selling is the best choice for yourself.

Yours sincerely,

Sebastian Cavenaugh

The Marquess of St. Just

Cavenaugh House

London

January 15, 1815

The Most Hon. the Marquess of St. Just

Cavenaugh House

London

Dear Lord St. Just,

I am all gratefulness at the kindness you have shown me in trying to take my estate off my hands. I only wonder why, if Trembledown is crumbling, you would want it at any price. You must have a remarkable desire to see the St. Just empire restored to its former glory.

Although I must again decline your offer, still not having seen the property with my own eyes, perhaps in the near future we may come to a mutually satisfactory arrangement regarding the estate? I notice that you are currently residing in London. I, too, shall be in town directly in order to assist in the presentation of my youngest sister. She is a very promising girl of lively temperament, and my family is naturally anxious to see her succeed. I, of course, know many esteemed personages in London, but I always believe that widening a young lady’s circle of society, especially among the aristocracy, cannot but help but benefit a young lady.

Perhaps we could meet in person and discuss these matters?

Yours sincerely,

Mrs. Perceval Treacher

January 24, 1815

Mrs. Perceval Treacher

Peacock Hall

Yorkshire

Ma’am,

While I do not see the need for a personal meeting, I will agree to one if I must. However, let me assure you that I will not be manipulated by any feminine wiles into offering you another penny more for such a dilapidated piece of property. Nor have I any intention of becoming involved in any activities regarding your sister’s come-out, which doubtless would benefit from the patronage of one of my station.

When you wish to proceed with the sale of Trembledown, please sign the enclosed sales agreement (that includes the very generous 10 percent mentioned in my previous epistle) and bring it with you to London. Upon your arrival, you may schedule an appointment with my secretary and we will finalize the sale at that time.

St. Just

January 28, 1815

The Most Hon. the Marquess of St. Just

Cavenaugh House

London

My Lord,

Enclosed find your unsigned contract. You may herewith consider your offer rejected.

I also regret to inform you that I no longer anticipate being in London in the near future. Your assurances of Trembledown’s state of neglect, although belied by your eagerness to purchase this same shambles of an estate, lead me to believe that the house is in need of my attention. It is now my intent to travel into Cornwall immediately to view the buildings and grounds and personally see to any restoration work that might be necessary. Once any improvements have been accomplished, I will then evaluate whether I wish to sell the property or not, and to whom I wish to sell it.

Regards,

Mrs. Perceval Treacher

Peacock Hall

Yorkshire