My Dear Sophia
I trust this finds you well. I write with the most wonderful of news.
I am a father! I am a father of the sweetest of God’s creature, a small but, we believe healthy, girl who is very pink and very round.
Her mother, thank the Lord, is well and relieved and even more excited about this wonder than your brother.
I cannot adequately describe matters as much of it is in the realm of womanhood. I can, however, describe the event, now that it, and the danger, appear to have passed.
We left our chamber to join Sir Walter and Elizabeth for a Christmas dinner. We had attended services with them at the church you will recall attending when you and the Admiral were in Bath. It was cold, but my dearest Anne was well bundled, and we took a hired carriage to and from the church.
Afterwards, as Anne and I prepared for the dinner her father and sister had arranged for the holiday, I felt the tug of my heart as I have long felt it about her and I verily believe that she has felt about your humble brother.
We were in final preparations and about to leave the room to join her family for Christmas when she suddenly became distressed. I was near enough to her to grab hold of her and gently restore her to the bed.
I will not describe it but even for a naval man accustomed to the chaos of battle I was taken aback.
I pulled the cord and a footman was almost immediately with us and he raised the alarm and before I fully was aware of what was occurring a physician was being summoned, no mean thing given it was early afternoon on Christmas day.
Blessedly one was located and agreed to tend to Anne.
When he arrived, I was exiled from our bedchamber and cloistered with Sir Walter.
Elizabeth was there briefly before taking my place with Anne.
I will say that she comported herself with the utmost care and affection for her sister in the trying hours while I was left to pace and pace, much as I so often did on the quarterdeck of my ship before an engagement with the French.
It was a long battle that I could not participate in. Thankfully, Elizabeth and the doctor came to me with reports of how Anne fared and that she was doing well. She, like you, Sophia, is a strong woman but my knowledge of that fact could not prevent me from being anxious for her and our child.
I have already revealed the outcome! You are an aunt. Aunt Sophia. Now it is for you and the Admiral to come to us here as we cannot go to you. Sir Walter has generously set aside our rooms though I fear there is not enough space on Camden Place for anyone else.
Anne is writing separately to Lady Russell and to her sister to invite them to come. She tells me how pleased she will be should you and the Admiral join her great friend Lady Russell in coming to her and especially in coming to your new niece. Aunt Sophia!
I will confess that this result is vastly superior to any success I have had in the service of the King, to all the prize money I have accumulated and all the battles I have won.
My thoughts of pride for being a Captain in service of his country pale in comparison to being a father in service to the slightest and pinkest girl in the world.
Yours most affectionately,
Frederick