Dear Leonato,
As you’ve probably heard, I’m travelling back to Messina with Don Pedro. I have to admit, I’m rather nervous about it. I never told you this before but I feel the time has come: I love Beatrice. I ask for your discretion in this matter for it is a very sensitive thing. She is the only person I’ve ever loved and nobody else knows. I’ve conquered many men in battle, even just over these past few weeks, yet I cannot seem to handle Beatrice. Her sharp tongue has cut me far deeper than any sword ever could and still, she is always in my mind. The battle I have just struggled through didn’t end me, but Beatrice’s words certainly will; the double edged sword that will cut me down where no other blade could, for I can’t help but love her more for her wit. She is very special, as you know.
Have I ever told you about the first time I met Beatrice?
It must have been two years ago, I was in Messina to see an uncle of mine, I hadn’t thought I would be there long enough to fall in love. It’s strange, how quickly that can happen. I was in the market haggling for some bread. I suppose I didn’t really need to haggle, I had the money; I just loved working the men on the stalls down.
As soon as I saw Beatrice in the market and heard that she too was haggling with the stall owners, I knew she was something different; something special. I wanted to impress her so I flounced over and introduced myself with such grandeur. My first mistake, obviously. From that moment on she seemed to have such a hatred for me yet it only made me like her more.
I love her because she is so honest and cleverly impudent, she did not even falter when I was showing off. She is unlike any other. Unfortunately, she will never love me back. I thought I was okay with that. I thought I could pretend that I don’t want to be married, then it would seem as though I’m not bothered by her obvious distaste for me; I know, it’s ingenious. I’m done pretending, so now I have a question for you. Will you help me gain her attention; make her finally love me back? I only ask you because Beatrice has such an obvious respect for you. You’re like a second father to her, she will listen to you.
Benedick.
Dear Uncle,
Is it really true? Benedick is to be coming here with Don Pedro?
Uncle what am I to do? You know how I feel for him; nothing good can come of this visit if he is to be here. Ever since the first time I met him in that market, he flounced over to me, so full of himself, showing off as if he owned the place.
I wanted so badly for him to be better than that. I must just act like I don’t care. Surely that will make him leave me alone. Do you think it will work?
Oh, uncle, I really need your help. You’ll know how to make his stay bearable for me.
Beatrice.
Dear Leonato,
I’m done. I need to get away from this place; you should have heard the things that she said. And worst of all, she actually knew it was me under this stupid mask, yet she still said it. I knew she was blunt, but I didn’t have her pegged down as the spiteful type. I fear she has lost my heart, not that she would care. I had actually let myself believe that she wanted to be my friend at least, things had been going well with us, and for once our banter seemed almost joyful.
I guess I was wrong. My plan really isn’t working Leonato, unless I get some sign of her even liking me, I will have to leave.
Benedick.
Dear uncle,
I said such awful things to Benedick last night, I feel so terrible about it. I thought I had the will to stay away from him but I just couldn’t.
I fear I have lost his heart, I do not want to care yet I cannot help myself. Love is a strange thing, is it not? Goodness, I wrote that before I even thought about it. I guess it must then be true. I love him.
I will have to do something about this before it is too late.
Beatrice.
Dear Don Pedro,
I have found out some wonderful things this last week, things I should not even be sharing with you, yet it is necessary for me to do what so dreadfully needs to be done. I cannot stress the importance of this enough but you must tell no one of the contents of this letter.
Benedick and Beatrice do indeed love one another, as we all suspected. The pair is so frustrating though, they both refuse to admit it, out of fear of rejection. I suppose we have all been there but honestly, something has to be done. However, if we are to do something, we must be very clever about it. At the ball you told us of a plan to do this, might I make some suggestions?
You said you wanted to have them overhear the news of the others love. But I tell you now they will not believe it. Not unless we do some very specific things.
Benedick, for example, will only believe it if it comes from me. He knows I would not joke about something so serious to him. Beatrice however, must not know that I know, for she has entrusted me with the task of getting them together (which I fully intend to do) so if she hears me say Benedick loves her, she will never believe it.
I suggest we get together as soon as possible and perhaps even involve Claudio and Hero more than we had intended. It is their turn to play cupid, after all.
Leonato.
Word Count: 1,018
Bibliography
Much Ado About Nothing – William Shakespeare