"You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope." ~Captain Wentworth, Persuasion
February 16, 2019 Dear Jane, As it two days after Valentine's Day, I must discuss something with you of the utmost importance. I do not wish to play the blame game, Jane, but you must admit that you gave me (and all your gentle readers) some very unrealistic expectations about love when you wrote characters like Captain Wentworth, Mr. Darcy & Mr. Knightley (and the lesser-talked-about, Admiral Croft. He was a true gentleman, Jane, who clearly valued his remarkable wife!). But do not fret for I forgive you, dear friend! We are most fortunate to have your novels to turn to both when love is in the air and when it is not. Of course, that is not to say you were a writer of mere love stories. I am a firm believer (as are most, I should hope) that your novels are some of the greatest works of fiction ever written. However, as it is the month of love, I shall share my favorite romantic moment from Persuasion: Captain Wentworth's letter. "I can listen no longer in silenc