To his Lordship, the Right Honourable Earl of Parham, Parham House, London

Dear Sir,

[The writting of the letter had been postponed for that day after Willoughby stared at those two words for perhaps half an hour, maybe longer.]

Dear Sir,

[A few days later Willoughby tried again.]

I sit down to write to you and words refuse to come easily. I can blame only this and myself that my letters have not yet reached you and yet as your most humble grandson, I feel that an apology has long been overdue. I feel myself most fortunate to have You for a grandfather and hope that in time you will find it in yourself to forgive me for the deeds that I have done. I fail to find the right words to express how immense my regret is in wounding you so. I want to assure you here, that it was never my intention nor part of my plans to cause you distress nor apprehension. It was my youth and my stubborness, an unbeckoming trait, and my foolishness that brought me to Portugal in the guise of a Hussar. I now realise I should have listened to you and cherished the sound advice only a man of your experience could have given me. But we learn, sometimes at the expance of ourselves and sometimes by the example of others.
I feel most undeserving of the kindness you have shown me since the letter, that a friend of mine I can think of in no other way but with outmost respect and fondness, has sent partially in my name. It was not cowardice that had kept me from writting, though it was indeed the fear that I might further displease you and cause a rift I could not ever repair or perhaps at the time I might have already feared that I would only recieve confirmation that such grave damage had already been done. It is this friend, who by his father, has been able to deliever the letter, that should carry the most praise for he had helped me see reason and act when my heart wished me to remain silent and carry the burden of my penance. I am indebted to him as I am to you for the kindness you have been willing to grant me.
I wish now to also lay your worries at rest and assure you that I am in good health and in much better spirits. The weather in this unforgiving land has been kind enough to us and while days are frequently sunny, the heat has yet to have an undesiring effect on myself. I promise to you that in all this time I have conducted myself to the best of my abilities and I assure you that should there have been any misbehavings caused by my youth, that none had been so grave as to earn themselves complaint. Especially in battle, I have never shyed from duty and have made it my goal to continue in such fashion so that you shall need to feel nothing but pride should you at a given time want to discuss the news from the war with your friends.
Please write to me. If you would like to learn more of the days we spend here and if there is anything at all that I can delight you with, I shall be most glad to be your servant in this endevour.

I remain, more than ever your most grateful and humble grandson,

Timothy