Orchidelirium Ch. 01

Dear Reader, please find enclosed the Pamphlet you requested, commencing Winter in the Year of our Lord 1856, and covering the stories and correspondence of those Characters involved in what became known so fondly known to many as the Orchidelirium Affair.

Chapter 1 features those first letters between the responsible parties and are the best place to begin to understand the entire sordid affair. Other Chapters shall follow shortly—Til then, do Pray, secret Friend, that we are not intercepted in the interim by the authorities for the publication of such obscene material. Queen Victoria herself would sign the orders for the hanging should we caught out spreading this vulgar tale.

Your brave servants,

The publishers of Holywell Street

---

Dear Sir,

I cannot fully relay the excitement with which I greet you now — with urgent news of the most wonderful kind. My only regret at this moment is not delivering this message by my own hand to your door. I look forward to the day when the sun may shine gently on us together, perhaps over a quaff of the claret wine that I know your gentle taste does favor.

It is my true pleasure to relay that the package over which we exchanged tender correspondence last month is now safely invested to my care. The journey had been rather a long one, as you surely recall. We did both walk the floor on many nights of frantic worry, did we not!

Yet Mme. Alphonse has certainly proven a true and obedient servant, and will be suitably rewarded for the successful delivery of her charge. As I write, the goods are being reviewed for condition and necessary repair after so many weeks at sea.

I beg you rest well to-night, knowing that our mutual interest is securely in its rightful place. By all early accounts, the risk that caused such flutter of the stomach, will soon cause flutter in many other areas, especially to gentlemen of character and strong humour such as your own. You may trust in my utmost care and handling until such time as you are able to inspect the goods to your own peace of mind.

Your faithful servant,

William

---

Dear William,

What a joy it has been these recent days, to be back under the dedicated employ of your family. My gratitude swells within me, and my heart is so full —I recall days of such sweet companionship! and know that more lie ahead. There was never a Governess luckier than my self, I am certain.

Forgive me, sir, for drifting from the subject to reminisce! I know you are most eager for news so let us turn to the concern of your parcel having recently arrived from America. As I shared with you, my preliminary inspections yielded acceptable findings. I have also taken the chamber maid into my confidence, and she has conducted some covert observations as well.

Fear not—Nelly is young for a domestic but still rather clever and I do trust her to collect the most important details with an eye toward our mutual interest. Perhaps more importantly - she trusts me wholly, and will be loyal. The girl owes me her very existence, such as it were, considering the Predicament from which I extracted her just these two winters past. I hardly think she would betray me to your father and grandmother—or any other for that matter.

But, my dear Master, we shall not rely much longer on the unwitting anecdotes of a chamber maiden. I have arranged an appointment with Doctor Osgoode and he will certainly provide the most thorough examination.

Please stand by for updates—I beg your patience as we come ever closer to the finale of your vision most grand.

Your loving servant,

"Lucy"

---

Dr. Osgoode -

My dear sir, I trust this letter finds you in the health befitting your great contributions to the well-being of my family and others for decades past and future. Our weather down at the coast these last days has been so mild and fragrant that I dare not speak of it to you, as my man says London has been dreadfully cold.

While on the matter of the coast, please note my change of postal address. I no longer take residence at the Brighton house, for the town has become crowded to the gills with nose-baggers and hucksters. One can barely even get-to the nicer parts of the shore! I am instead extending offers for holiday visits to several of the lesser and distant cousins, who sputter with joy and take me up instantly. It shall keep the estate staff occupied anyway, those who have not come with me to Newhaven.

Regardless, I shall not stay much longer in the South, for there is business much more compelling in the City. Which brings me to my empassioned plea...

Doctor—I am informed by Louisa Alphonse that you have examinations scheduled soon with that certain person entrusted to my household and protection. I surely need not emphasise how much investment of the heart has been made (and too, of more tangible assets, if I may be so gauche as to mention it), by many whose prominence makes our own wan in contrast.

Your utmost care as a medical expert will certainly produce the reports so eagerly sought by the cadre of, might we say, investors who yearn to understand the true present value of the venture, which they have endowed with blind faith these many years.

I await your first report! Please, Doctor—with alacrity—

Your eternal admirer—

Wm. Wellesley