My dear cousin,
I understand that I have done you wrong by not informing you of my marriage sooner, let alone not inviting you. And I fear you will misunderstand my motivations, but they were all for love. It must look strange, myself 20 years younger than him, running out of money, he rich and old. But the world has never seen a more pure and noble man than Eustace Clockfeld. And I am no young maiden anymore, keep that in mind.
Let me tell you about him, please. Do not hold this injustice against me, and especially not against my angel of a husband. We spend entire days in his library, pouring of his obscure books (which you know are quite a passion of mine). Even if I can't understand them (and I doubt he can) they're beautiful just to look at and to touch. I may not have married him for his money, but it is very nice. His position in the Henn and Clockfeld Mining Co. lavishes me with gifts, and if only you could have seen the ensemble he provided for me to wear at our wedding.
In addition to his career he is very respected in his community as a high ranking member of the Holy Order of the Working Man. His business with them, which he never tells me of, keeps him away most of the time, but I cherish every moment I spend with him.
Forgive me, please
Lillian Bones