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March 2001
British Embassy | Washington, DC

Ten days later, a lilac-scented letter arrived at the British Embassy in Washington, DC. All personnel at the embassy knew that the letter was from Lady Katharina Summers as she absolutely hated the internet and the contraption called email and was an old soul who continued to believe in the art of letter-writing.

The entire embassy knew that any letters sent from either Lady Summers or Lady Halsey was to be given immediately to Hank or Joyce upon arrival. Once the staff saw the letter from Lady Summers, Hank's assistant quickly knocked on his office door before quietly entering the suite. Hank was currently on an overseas call with the British Prime Minister, but once he saw his mother's letter, he quickly made an excuse to end the call and devote his full attention to the letter now resting on his desk.

Hank buzzed his assistant and asked not to be disturbed for the next 30 minutes. He quickly opened the letter and read the following content:


My Darling Hank;

I hope all is well with you and Joyce. Bitsy and I are doing fine as two widows possibly can, while our children and grandchild are away from us. We continue to keep each other's company to stave off the loneliness here in England. Although, I must say, Bitsy has sort of an admirer in Sir Charles Wilmington. I believe he has always fancied her, but as you know Bitsy's heart will continue to belong to Edmond, Joyce's father. Sir Charles often comes to visit and dine with her at the Halsey home in Hyde Park. We still continue to meet for our regular Thursday afternoon tea at Fortnum's. At some point, we had both hoped that Joyce would be able to resume joining us on a regular basis, as well as have Buffy partake in the long standing tradition.

Speaking of tradition, it was at our most recent gathering, that the topic regarding our grand-daughter was discussed. Bitsy and I were just mentioning the other day, how we have not seen Buffy (barring the photographs that Joyce has religiously sent us) since your move to America eight years prior. We also noted that whenever you and Joyce would return home to visit, Buffy always had other plans that prevented her from seeing her grandmothers. It personally hurts us to feel that in some way, Bitsy or I may have been the reason behind why our only grandchild would refuse to see us. We would love to have an opportunity to make amends for any ill-feelings we may have caused our sweet bunny.

In your previous letters to me, I understand that at the end of May, your tenure as Ambassador to the United States will come up for renewal. As a proud mother, I must say that you have done an extraordinarily good job in this position. But you and I have discussed in previous letters and telephone calls the possibility of you returning to England in July. This has also been mentioned to Bitsy from the letters and conversations she has had with Joyce. Please say that you, Joyce and Buffy will come home in July. Both Bitsy and I miss you all terribly. I know that your hesitancy to return home stems with Buffy and how she may feel leaving California and her friends. I understand that this is her last year at University. Bitsy and I are willing to make arrangements for Buffy to finish her education at Oxford. As you know, our families have a legacy system at Oxford and it also helps that I continue to sit on the Board of Trustees. As Joyce can attest, Oxford continues to have one of the best Art Departments in the world. Also, being in Europe will afford Buffy better opportunities to travel to various European countries (chaperoned of course) to view the artistic treasures that Europe has to offer. The other benefit of having Buffy here in England with the rest of the family is that she can begin to take her role as Lady and heir to the Halsey-Summer titles and fortune more seriously.

Bitsy and I both hope for a positive outcome. We look forward to seeing you in July. Give Joyce and Buffy our love.

Sincerely,
Mum


Later that evening...

After dinner, Sir Hank and Lady Joyce went into the library as was the ritual whenever they dined at home together. As Joyce sat on the settee re-reading the letter from Lady Kat, Hank stood by the fireplace sipping his brandy.

"Have you made a decision yet, darling?" inquired Joyce after she finished reading the letter.

"No, dear... I thought it best to discuss this with you first." replied Hank.

"Well, I have wanted to return home to England for a while now..." Joyce trailed off. "It's just, that my heart is torn."

"How so?" queried Hank.

"On the one hand, I want to go home and resume my life back in England. Maybe teach art classes like I used to before we came to America. I also want to be closer to both Mum and Kat. I miss them terribly as well. But on the other hand, there is you and Buffy."

"Why do you mention me?" asked Hank, probing Joyce further for her thoughts.

"Hank, I know you love this job. I also know that earlier this month, you were strongly leaning towards renewing your tenure as Ambassador for another 2 years." Joyce stated.

"Honey, I was only thinking of renewing, for the sake of Buffy. I too am feeling a bit homesick. I have performed my job for the past eight years. I want to get back to England and resume my place in the House of Lords. Also, I have been thinking about the possibility of joining the partnership with Giles' law firm. I would have moved us back home sooner, but Buffy has been so happy here." Hank stated.

"You have been thinking about this a lot haven't you?” Joyce giggled. "I guess we both have a common denominator in this scenario."

"Buffy" both Hank and Joyce stated in unison.

"Well, I guess it's decided then." Joyce stated.

"Yes. We return home to England in July." Hank stated sitting next to his wife, gently pulling her into her arms. "I will notify the Prime Minister in the morning of the decision and start looking for my replacement."

"There is only one thing left to do." muttered Joyce, feeling the warm glow of being in her husband's arms.

"Hmmm, what's that?" replied Hank.

"How do we get Buffy to come with us?"

tbc





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