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Language:
English
Series:
Part 1 of Adventures in Austenland
Stats:
Published:
2015-02-26
Completed:
2015-03-05
Words:
15,167
Chapters:
47/47
Comments:
43
Kudos:
192
Bookmarks:
23
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3,141

The Nobley Letters

Summary:

Being the collected epistles, emails, texts and other assorted missives received and sent by Henry Nobley Esq before and during his sojourn at Pembrook Park; together with additional scenes never before seen, for the edification of the reader.

Spoilers for the movie. (And probably won't make much sense if you haven't watched "Austenland".)

Notes:

I loved Austenland. I also love filling in backstory and much-needed gaps, so here we are.

I wrote this after watching the movie, but before reading the books. I changed some details after the books, but the Henry Nobley of the book is different to that of the movie in my opinion, so - this is the movie guy, complete with invented failed relationship and invented family :)

I also parcelled the movie plus deleted scenes into days, then padded it out to two weeks. At the start of each "day" I will note what movie and deleted scenes are in the "day". Hope you enjoy.

I should acknowledge the inspiration of 1796 Broadway, which manages to tell an entire story using only texts, emails and computer surveillance :)

Chapter 1: This is Goodbye.

Chapter Text

(Email from Sophia Wildingham. April, three years before)

 

Henry,

I know the right thing to do is wait until you get back from Switzerland and tell you to your face. I’m sorry but I can’t wait that long.

I love Mark and I’m going to Brazil with him. I shouldn’t have done it, I know. He was so cross with me and so on your side, I just had to see if I could break him down. I could, but the biter was also bit this time.

I know I haven’t treated you well but the truth is I’m not cut out for the life you want. The last year, the talk of marriage and children made me feel trapped. I know what I said but I never wanted that, not really. I want to be free, to do what I want. I don’t want to be tied down and you were pulling tighter every single day. I want to breathe.

We should have broken up years ago. You should never have forgiven me after Ed. If there is such a thing as being too loyal, you are too loyal. Some things are not for ever, and can never be made for ever.

It’s time to stop pretending. This is goodbye. I’m leaving my job and my phone behind. Mark is doing the same. Don’t try to find us. You won’t hear from us again.

Have a good life,

Sophia.