Work Text:
Mina sat beside Lord Godalming, holding his hands as he breathed deeply to ease the last traces of his recent paroxysm of emotion from his body.
“Oh,” he said, “I have something for you.”
Mina’s brow wrinkled. “What?”
Lord Godalming let go of Mina’s hands, then reached into his jacket and retrieved a letter, which he wordlessly handed to her.
Mina accepted the letter.
It was addressed to her, in Lucy’s handwriting.
“We found it among her belongings,” said Lord Godalming. “I meant to send it to you, but…”
“It’s quite all right,” said Mina gently. “I understand.”
“I can leave if you want to read it, or…”
“No, I… I don’t mind if you stay.”
Lord Godalming nodded.
Mina opened the letter, seeing at the top that it was dated 17th September. She wrote this to me on the last day she was well.
She took a breath and began to read silently.
My dearest Mina,
Do forgive me for the time that has elapsed since my last letter. For your part, there is nothing to forgive, since I know you must be frightfully busy in caring for Jonathan and setting up your new household together. How is Jonathan, by the way? I trust he is recovering well. Which brings me to the reason for my delay in writing. My illness has gotten worse, and I have had a really bad time for some of it, but I seem now to be on the mend. Dr. Seward brought his teacher down from Amsterdam, a Dr. Van Helsing. He is a wonderful and a clever man, and they'll soon have me to rights. I feel most of the way there already. I don’t say all this to worry you, but merely to explain my delay in correspondence, which would assuredly have been quicker to come had I been well.
Arthur has been away, as unfortunately his father is ill. I pray he recovers. If he does not, I worry about Arthur. Not because I doubt the strength of his constitution—far from it—but because he is so strong that I don’t know if he knows how not to be. He is a kind and loving and wonderful man, and I adore him, but sometimes when I try to talk to him about more difficult or personal subjects he closes off. Are all men like that? I have a hard time imagining Jonathan being silent about anything (you will, of course, refrain from telling him I said that), but I don’t really know. Do you have any advice for getting a man to confide in you? I want to take some of the weight off Arthur’s shoulders, but I can’t if he won’t let me, and I’m afraid I don’t know how.
Unless, Heaven forbid, Arthur’s father dies between now and then, in which case mourning as well as more basic decency will demand that we renegotiate, my and Arthur’s wedding is to be held on the 28th of September. Sadly, between my illness and that of Lord Godalming, there has been little time for planning or excitement. The fact that Arthur’s two best friends both also love me complicates slightly the question of who is to attend, but fortunately they’re both being gentlemen about it, and you are of course invited, even if we decide it’s family only. I will send details in a telegram to follow, if notice ends up being too short for the post.
Regarding marriage. I’m thrilled, but also a bit nervous and overwhelmed. So, as you’ve been married a few weeks now (which isn’t much time, I know, but must be enough time to gather some wisdom, especially for you, who learns faster than anyone else I know), do you have any advice for me? On any topic? (Yes, including that— I hope you don’t think me indecent, but no one else is going to tell me!) I welcome anything you’re willing and able to share.
All right, enough about me. What news of you? How are you and Jonathan getting on? How is it being married? Is there anything else you want to tell me?
Ever your loving,
Lucy
P.S. I’m worried about my mother. Something seems off about her lately. I’ll keep you informed.
Mina lowered the letter and blinked back tears, then handed it back to Lord Godalming.
“May I read this?”
“You may, if you wish.”
As Lord Godalming read, Mina watched his eyes once again well up with tears, but this time they were accompanied by a small smile.
When he finished reading, he clutched the letter to his chest, held it tight, and took a deep breath.
Then, he handed the letter back to Mina. “Thank you,” he said quietly. “Keep this, it’s yours.”
“Are you—”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
Mina nodded, then stood and made her way out of the room, catching and squeezing Lord Godalming’s hand as she left.
…
Mina sat at her desk, Lucy’s last letter open in front of her, and began to write on a blank page.
My dearest Lucy, she wrote. Jonathan and I are getting on all right, although we miss you very much...