Love letters from Orlando to Jonty
1911 style
My dearest Jonty
I wish I didn’t have to attend this conference, but needs must. I shall be thinking of you often while I’m away; I hope this note will serve as adequate communication until I return. The spirit is willing although I suspect University College’s flesh is weak in the matter of telephones. I will try to write a letter but the programme of work suggests I’ll be hard put to find the time.
I love you with all my heart. Should the train crash as we hurtle through Ware, please remember that fact.
Your very own
Orlando
1961 style
Jonty
Don’t go getting into any mischief while I’m away. I know it’s a few nights up in the smoke for me, but it’ll be all work and no play. Anyway, what fun will it really be, without you at my side? The lights are never as bright, the film never as good and the steak never as tender as when I have you to share them with.
I’ll try to ring, although it’s always difficult from a public call box. I’m always afraid I’ll be overheard and we never say what we really mean, do we? And when I press button B I never get my money back.
Lots of love
Orlando
2011 style
A record of an MSN conversation between:
Orlando
<OCoppersmith1@cantab.net>
and
Jonty eat Tempest, drink Hamlet, live the sonnets
<hotcrumpet@hotmail.co.uk>
Jonty eat Tempest, drink Hamlet, live the sonnets says:
Hi 
Orlando says:
Hello; are you well?
Jonty eat Tempest, drink Hamlet, live the sonnets says:
Fine. How R U?
Orlando says:
Very well, thank you. I gave my paper today.
Jonty eat Tempest, drink Hamlet, live the sonnets says:
Go OK?
Orlando says:
Much better than the last time I was invited to the equivalent conference. I took your advice and tried to address the back of the hall and not my notes – it was extremely successful. I had several questions at the end and
Orlando says:
Sorry – I forgot about the limit on characters.
Jonty eat Tempest, drink Hamlet, live the sonnets says:
U always do. Missing U. :) ♥ U.
Orlando says:
I love you too. Must you use those stupid abbreviations? And those even more ridiculous little pictures?
Jonty eat Tempest, drink Hamlet, live the sonnets says:
Yep. I like them.
Orlando says:
They give me a migraine.
Jonty eat Tempest, drink Hamlet, live the sonnets says:
Aw. Shan’t use any more emoticons. :(
Orlando says:
Thank goodness for that. LOL
Jonty eat Tempest, drink Hamlet, live the sonnets says:
you used an abbreviation! *dances around the room*
Orlando says:
‘You’ needs a capital. I miss you.
Jonty eat Tempest, drink Hamlet, live the sonnets says:
Idiot. I miss you too. GTG. ♥♥♥ you lots.
Orlando says:
You too. XXX
Jonty eat Tempest, drink Hamlet, live the sonnets says:
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
February 14, 2011 at 9:54 am
Totally loved these. The first one I could so imagine Orlando writing, especially that line about the train crash. 1960s amused me, but the IM chat. That one I laughed out loud (or as Orlando put it LOL *grin). Of course Jonty is using text speak while Orlando has to remind him to use caps. Love their email addys and user names. Very them
February 14, 2011 at 10:25 am
Ah yes, doom and gloom Orlando, always looking for the next bad thing to come around the corner.
I think I may have to do some more IM stuff between the lads. If I could think of a modern (clean!) version of a dancing partner I could do their correspondence from ‘Seduction’.
Charlie
February 14, 2011 at 10:43 am
Very cute. One question: do you envisage them as the same age when writing these as they are in the books?
February 14, 2011 at 12:12 pm
Oh yes (I should have made that plain). Sort of translocated through time.
February 14, 2011 at 10:54 am
“And when I press button B I never get my money back.”
For some reason that bit really got to me!
Lovely – but it makes me mourn the passing of old-fashioned communication.
February 14, 2011 at 12:17 pm
Doesn’t it just? My girls get so excited when they get a real letter.
That press button B thing has been buzzing around my mind looking for the right outlet…
February 14, 2011 at 11:56 am
Oh! and Oh!
Had a right good larf.
Don’t really acknowledge V Day in the Watto household, but can well appreciate others’ sentiments.
Particularly taken by Jonty’s handle. I would be so Orlando.
February 14, 2011 at 12:21 pm
I had a card from Mr C when I thought we’d agreed not to indulge this year. Nice surprise, but makes me feel guilty.
I’m more Orlando than Jonty on MSN – more typos, though.
February 14, 2011 at 3:10 pm
Love them all! I can sooo imagine the two of them IM ing like that;) LOL
February 14, 2011 at 3:28 pm
Thanks! Yes, I can imagine them wittering away on MSN (or their Blackberries) all day!
Charlie
February 14, 2011 at 3:47 pm
You make Jonty and Orlando so alive and I love reading their stories. I’m an avid reader and read just about anything I find but I keep only a few. Jonty and Orlando are keepers. I found you by accident and bless the day I did. If you know of any British authors I might be able to find here in Pennsylvania, I would be forever grateful. Only one requirement, must be m/m. Jean
February 14, 2011 at 3:51 pm
Jean
Thank you so much for the kind words.
I’m sure there must be authors I can point you towards. Historical m/m or contemporary?
Charlie
February 15, 2011 at 3:18 am
Either will do but I prefer historical as I’m almost history myself. I just love to read. I feel in love with Jonty and Orlando in the first book and I have enjoyed all of them. Thank you. Jean
February 15, 2011 at 2:30 pm
Erastes and Alex Beecroft are both English and write classy m/m historicals. JL Merrow is a great new writer as is Sophia Deri-Bowen – not sure how much historical they actually have out and how much is pending publication.
Charlie
February 14, 2011 at 5:37 pm
Aw. Those two are just so perfect for each other. Reading those letters both made me laugh and warmed my heart. Orlando is just so proper! lol
February 15, 2011 at 11:24 am
Isn’t he just? Only Jonty can get him all of a lather…
Thanks