Dear Mr. Darcy: A Retelling of Pride and Prejudice

MAY

Miss Elizabeth Bennet to Mrs Gardiner

Longbourn, Hertfordshire,

May 6

Dear Aunt,

I am writing to thank you for the bonnet you sent me for my birthday, which I think is adorable and which is the envy of my friends. I have already worn it, you will be pleased to know. It adorned my head this morning on a walk into Meryton, where it was much admired. How lucky I am to have an aunt who lives in the capital and who can send me the latest styles! Thank you again for such a welcome gift.

I am being very much spoilt and I am having an enjoyable day. Jane has given me a new fan, which she painted herself, and Mary copied an extract from Fordyce’s Sermons in her best handwriting and then framed it. She presented it to me ‘with the hope that it would guide me through the Torrents and Turmoils of a Woman’s Life’; Kitty gave me a handkerchief, and Lydia said that she would have given me a new pair of dancing slippers, but she had already spent her allowance. I had a new pair of boots from Papa, for my others were worn through. Mama gave me a new gown, in the hope it would help me to catch a husband, and said, sighing, ‘Eighteen years old and still unwed! It is a sad day, Lizzy, a very sad day indeed.’

We are going to my aunt Philips’s this evening for a celebratory game of lottery tickets. Charlotte Lucas will be there and Susan Sotherton, so I will have some congenial company. There is a rumour abroad that Charlotte’s father means to give up his business and move out of Meryton now that he has been given a knighthood. I hope to hear more about it from Charlotte tonight.

Susan is not so fortunate in her papa. He is still drinking a great deal more than is good for him, and his gambling is causing the family some unease. They have already had to sell two of the carriage horses and more economies look certain to follow—if Mr Sotherton can be persuaded to make them.

It is fortunate that Netherfield Park is entailed on Frederick, so that at least Mr Sotherton cannot gamble the roof from over their heads, as he does not own it but only holds it in trust for his son.

An entail is a strange thing, is it not? Here are we, bemoaning the fact that our estate is entailed, so that Papa cannot leave it to Mama (or anyone else he pleases) when he dies, but must leave it to Mr Collins, meaning that we will no longer have a home.

But with Susan’s family it is quite the reverse. They are relieved that Netherfield Park is entailed, for otherwise their papa could sell it and then they would no longer have anywhere to live. Mama hopes that one of us will marry Frederick, but as he appears to be quite as fond of drinking and gambling as his papa, we are none of us inclined to have him. We will not marry until we find men we like, admire, love and respect. Or, at least, Jane and I will not, though I cannot answer for my younger sisters, who seem to think that marriage to anyone is an object, just so long as they can do it by the age of sixteen.

Thank you again for my bonnet. It will have a second outing this evening, where I hope to astonish everyone with my finery.

Your loving niece,

Lizzy

Mrs Bennet to Mrs Gardiner

Longbourn, Hertfordshire, May 6

Ah! Sister, it is a sad day, a sad day indeed. To think I now have two daughters of eighteen years old or more and neither of them is married, nor in a way to being so. It is hard on a mother, very hard indeed. You know nothing of it yet, your children are still too young to be a worry to you, but it is a sore trial, it is a very sore trial indeed. And it plays havoc with my nerves. I have such palpitations when I think about it, such beatings of my heart, but no one here cares about it and no one pities me.

I did think, when Jane visited you a few years ago, and she met that nice young man in London who wrote her some poems, that she would soon be married, but it all came to nothing. You must ask her to visit you again. She can come to London at any time and Lizzy, too, can come at a moment’s notice. There will be more young men for them in London than there are in Meryton.

Indeed, I do not know who there is for them to marry here. There is only Frederick Sotherton, a handsome young man to be sure, and the heir to Netherfield Park, but wild, sister, very wild.

If the Lucas boys were older…But then, the Lucases never had any compassion, and their sons are too young even for Lydia. Do you not know anyone in London? We could all pay you a visit. We have not seen you or my brother for ever such a long time. You have only to say the word and we will be there in a trice, even though it is not pleasant for me to go out and about at my time of life. But no sacrifice is too great for my girls.

Your poor sister,

Janet

Mrs Gardiner to Miss Elizabeth Bennet

Gracechurch Street, London,

May 7

My dear Lizzy,

I am very glad that the bonnet was to your liking. I hope your day was enjoyable and that your mama did not bemoan your single state for too long. I am relieved that neither you nor Jane is inclined to have Frederick Sotherton. I remember him from my last visit—a young man who will get worse before he gets better, I dare say. I am sorry for Susan and her sisters. Their situation is far worse than yours; for, if your mama could only see it, there is very little danger of your papa dying for thirty years or more, by which time it is reasonable to assume that one of you will be settled in life and can help the others if need be. And if not, you can always come and live with us here.

But in this particular I agree with her: there are very few suitable young men in Meryton and so I have written to your mama, inviting you all to stay for a few weeks.

Your father, I dare say, will not feel he can join you, but we hope that your mama and sisters will stay with us until the end of June. You have not seen the children since Christmas and if you do not come soon, you will hardly recognise them when next you see them. Try to persuade your father to make one of the party. It will do him good to leave his library for a short while.

Give my love to your sisters,

Your fond Aunt Gardiner

Mrs Bennet to Mrs Gardiner

Longbourn, Hertfordshire,

May 9

Sister! You are so good to us! A few weeks in London is just what I need to set me up, and Jane will find someone, I am sure of it. All that beauty cannot be for nothing! We will have her married before the end of the summer, I am certain!

Your sister,

Janet

Miss Elizabeth Bennet to Miss Charlotte Lucas

Gracechurch Street, London,

May 20

Dearest Charlotte,

How welcome it is to be in London and with my aunt once again. To be sure, Jane and I have to suffer Mama’s constant hints about finding husbands, but we have an ally in our aunt, who is full of sympathy and calm good sense. She, at least, does not want us to catch the attention of every man between the ages of twenty and sixty, and can talk about other things than fortunes, expectations and handsome faces. She even refrains from talking about bridal bouquets if we should happen to dance twice with the same young man. And yet, if anything were to persuade me to marry, it would be my aunt’s example, because between her and my uncle there is love and understanding, with a great deal of mutual admiration and respect. The house is a happy one and I must confess, if I could find the same, I would be willing to enter into the married state.

But for now I am enjoying being unencumbered and delighting in the sights of London. We have been to the Lyceum Theatre and been well entertained with The Hypocrite, a play taken from Molière’s Tartuffe; we have been shopping and have bought some very fine muslin and a serviceable sarsenet from Grafton House; we have visited the museum and the British Gallery; we have walked in the parks and eaten ices at Gunter’s; in short, we have been devoting ourselves to pleasure!

The little children are thriving and are all benefiting from Jane’s company. She plays with them constantly and is always patient with them, and it is not difficult, for they are all of them well behaved.

The only person not very happy is my uncle. The war is bad for trade and he wishes it to end as soon as possible. We have met a number of émigrés here in London and they have seen horrors in their native France. It makes me very glad for what we have: a country where we might live out our lives in safety.

Does your brother still dream of going into the army? I hope not, or your mama will not know one easy day, worrying whether or not he is safe. Persuade him he would be better off joining the church, or following your papa into trade.

We will be here for another six weeks at least and we rely on you for news of home. Papa has promised to write but his letters are few and far between.

Your dear friend,

Lizzy

Miss Charlotte Lucas to Miss Elizabeth Bennet

Meryton, Hertfordshire,

May 22

Dearest Eliza,

What a time you are having, to be sure. I envy you your convivial entertainments and convivial company. With you and Jane gone from the neighbourhood, there is hardly anyone sensible for me to talk to. My mama is quite as eager as yours to see a daughter married, and continues to invite every promising young man to the house, but she is constantly disappointed. She invited an acquaintance of my papa’s last week and contrived to leave me alone with him for half an hour, but it did not answer. He talked to me about the weather for five minutes and then buried himself in a newspaper. I was not altogether surprised, as he was a very handsome young man and evidently thought well of himself. But I do not despair of ever finding a husband, though I would be happy to know that one would be forthcoming in the next two or three years. I am not yet an old maid, but that time is not far off.

I do not hope for much in marriage. I am not romantic and I know that such felicity as your aunt enjoys is not to be expected, though no doubt it is welcome if it should come about. But if a respectable man should offer for me, I dare say I would take him, regardless of my expectations of future happiness.

My brother is still eager to go into the army, but as he is yet too young to enlist there is time for him to change his mind.

And now I must go. We are having some friends to supper and there will be an impromptu dance afterwards. Mama has hopes of Mr Williams and is showering him with hospitality, but I think he comes only for the table. He is a man who very much likes to eat.

Give my best wishes to your friends and family in London.

Charlotte

JULY

Colonel Fitzwilliam to Mr Darcy

July 5

My dear Darcy,

At last I have time to write. I am not at liberty to divulge my position so reply to me at Fitzwilliam House and I will find your letter next month when I will, God willing, be home on leave. The army has been keeping me busy. You will have heard by now that the French have their sights set on Egypt and that General Bonaparte has landed in Alexandria. His aim is to disrupt our trade routes, but he is mistaken if he thinks Admiral Nelson will let him have all his own way. The French are no match for the British at sea.

I will call upon you at Pemberley on my way up to Cumbria. I hope to be there in the middle of August and I will be able to tell you much I am not at liberty to put in a letter. I know you are interested in the progress of the war and what it will mean for Pemberley, as well as our nation as a whole.

I am looking forward to seeing both you and Georgiana again. I intend to thank her in person for the pipe case she embroidered for me; it was very prettily done. I have seen much worse work from girls of sixteen, and Georgiana is only fourteen. You must be very proud of her accomplishments.

Your cousin,

Henry

Mr Darcy to Colonel Fitzwilliam

Darcy House, London, July 12

You are welcome at Pemberley anytime, you know that. You must stay with us for as long as you can. Georgiana will be delighted to see you and so will I. I am in London at present, but I will be taking Georgiana back to Pemberley in a few days’ time. I will be very glad to hear the truth about the war; we hear only a part of it here, and even that small part comes a long time after the event.

As for Georgiana, I am partial, but I agree with you. School has done her good and she is becoming very accomplished. I am very proud of her, as you will imagine, and I am persuaded my mother and father would have been proud of her, too.

I was worried, after my father died, that I would not be able to raise Georgiana, that I would not know how to take care of her, or how to make her happy; but the last three years have shown me that I am equal to the task. It has given me a great deal of pleasure, as well as a great deal of relief, to see her grow into such a happy…I was going to say, girl, but when I called her a little girl last week, she gave me a withering look and reminded me that she is fourteen. So you see, I am not a perfect brother, for all I flatter myself that I have done well!

You, it seems, are a perfect brother, if your sister Maud’s comments are to be believed. I saw her in town yesterday, with your mama. They were buying Maud’s wedding clothes. Maud spoke very highly of your good sense in liking her betrothed. I hear that he is a good man and likely to do well.

I had another chance encounter yesterday evening, for I came across Charles Bingley. Do you remember him? We were at school together. He was a few years younger than me, but I saved him once from a bout of bullying and his generous nature has liked me for it ever since. He has changed very little. He is still friendly and trusting. He reminds me of Georgiana in that way. Though he is some years older than her, being now at university, he has an innocence about him that is not often met with. I like it. Unfortunately, it makes him a target for every rogue in the city. I had to rescue him from the men who were fleecing him at cards and I suggested that, if he wished to play in future, he should join a reputable club. He confessed that he would like nothing better, but said he had no one to propose him, or to second him, either.

‘If that is all,’ I said, ‘I will propose you myself.’

He thanked me unaffectedly and I liked him even more.

I mean to make sure he is elected to the club. His open temper is agreeable and a good foil for my reserve. I will never rid myself of it, I fear, as it is a Darcy family trait and unavoidable. My father had it and, as you know only too well, my cousin Philip has it, too. It is fortunate that your side of the family suffers from no such difficulty. My mother was forthright, your father, too, and our aunt, Lady Catherine, cannot be accused of being reticent, or backward in giving her opinions!

We will look forward to welcoming you at Pemberley. Philip will be here. It is a long time since you have seen him and I know he is looking forward to meeting you again. I have to warn you, however, that he will probably try to find you a wife. He is always encouraging me to marry and reminding me that I am the last of my line. Fortunately, I have outgrown the morbid fancies that plagued me following my father’s death and I am content to take my time. A wife of mine must be beautiful, but in my experience, beauties are all too often conceited and I have no fancy for a conceited wife. Then, too, they rely on their beauty for their attraction and I must have an intelligent wife. All the bluestockings of my acquaintance are dull, however. Besides, they never want to leave town, and as I spend much of my time at Pemberley, that would not do.

I have looked about me in Derbyshire but I demand a great deal from a woman I could call Mrs Darcy, and as I have never met anyone who satisfies me I am content to remain a bachelor, at least for the time being.

If there is one thing I am looking forward to when I marry, it is that I will no longer be the target of every woman between the ages of sixteen and sixty. They follow me everywhere, and I grow tired of them flattering and praising me. How refreshing it would be to find someone who did not like me! But unless Pemberley should fall down, or I should lose my fortune, I believe I will search for such a woman in vain.

Darcy

Mr Charles Bingley to the Bingley family

London, July 15

Dear Mama, Papa, Caroline, Louisa, Ned, Harry, Amelia and Sue,

I should have written sooner, but upon my honour I have been very busy these last three weeks. I never knew it would be so difficult to engage a set of rooms! However, it is done now and I am very comfortable. My lodgings are in a good part of town and you will be pleased to know, Mama, that I have been invited to a number of parties. I met one of my old schoolfellows, Darcy, at the Carmichaels’. You have heard me speak of Darcy before: he saved me once at school, when some of the older boys were making sport of me. He performed a similar office for me two weeks ago and, though the bullies wanted my gold this time and not my hide, the upshot is that he has done me the great kindness of proposing me for White’s. There are many people who find him proud, but I have seen nothing of it. He is taciturn and reserved with those he does not know, but he is talkative enough with his friends, and I count myself lucky to be one of their number.

Caroline, I have bought the satin you asked for, and Louisa, I have bought you your music. They should reach you in Yorkshire in the next few days.

My love to you all,

Your affectionate son and brother,

Charles

Mr Frederick Bingley to Mr Charles Bingley

Yorkshire, July 16

Well, my boy, your ma has been pestering me to write so I suppose I had better get on with it. We were all very pleased to hear about your friend Darcy helping you out. I said to your ma, ‘Ma,’ I said, ‘there’ll be no good comes of all this fancy schooling,’ but she would have you go to university, and I was afraid what would become of it. But this Darcy sounds like the right sort and I’m glad you’ve made friends with him. I don’t know I hold with you joining a club, but your mother says of course you must, it’s what all the gentlemen do. Just be careful, my boy, there’s plenty of sharks in the water, in business and in the fine world, too.

Your brother Ned has destroyed all your mother’s plans for him by saying he wants to take over the running of the shops. It won’t happen for a while, not till I’m dead, or at least so old I can’t manage, but I’m glad he’s taking an interest—as glad as I was when you didn’t. You’re a good lad, Charles, and I’m proud of you, but you never did have a head for business. You’d have been robbed and cheated by everyone you had to deal with, and we’d have ended up bankrupt.

Your mother and sisters are dancing about, saying I’m to ask you more about this Mr Darcy, but I’ve told ’em if they want to know more they’ll have to ask you themselves; I’ve work to do.

Your sister Caroline says she’ll put a note in with my letter.

Well, my boy, take care, and write again soon, your mother looks forward to your letters.

Your proud Pa

Miss Caroline Bingley to Mr Charles Bingley

Yorkshire, July 16

Greetings and felicitations, dearest brother.

Louisa and I are longing to hear more about your friend Darcy. He is not…but no, I do not suppose so…and yet, perhaps…your Darcy is not Mr Darcy? Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy? Of Pemberley? If so, you must invite me to town at once. He is one of the most eligible men in England. He is just the sort of man I would like to marry. He has ten thousand a year besides his estate, and all my friends from the seminary would be green with envy if I became his wife. And why should I not? I am sure I am good enough for anyone. Let me know by return if it is he.

Your loving sister,

Caroline

P.S. Thank you for the satin; it arrived this morning.

Mr Charles Bingley to Miss Caroline Bingley

London, July 18

Yes, Caroline, I mean Mr Darcy, Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley. Tell me, are we always to write of him in italics? If so, I must buy some new pens, for it is playing havoc with my nib. As for inviting you to town, it would do no good, for Darcy has returned to Pemberley and he means to remain there for the summer.

I am glad the satin arrived.

Your loving brother,

Charles

Mr Frederick Bingley to Mr Charles Bingley

Yorkshire, July 20

Well, my boy, you weren’t expecting another letter so soon, I’ll be bound, but your ma’s been pestering me to tell you to help your sisters and introduce them to some fine gentlemen. I believe we were a lot happier before all this tomfoolery, but your ma said as how we must have it now that the shop is doing well. She’s got me dressed up in a cravat and a tailcoat and I can’t get comfortable in ’em. Caroline and Louisa are spoilt by their schooling and they don’t want to have anything to do with the local lads. There’s my clerk, now, he’s been sweet on Caroline for years, but she must have a fine house and a carriage and all manner of things, and where is a lad like that to get ’em? I said as much to your ma, but your ma mistook my meaning and said, ‘Then Charles must find our Caroline someone who can. This Mr Darcy’s left town but there are plenty of other fine gentlemen to be had.’

She says I’m to ask you to invite Caroline and Louisa to stay, but don’t do it if you don’t want to, my boy.

Your proud Pa

Mrs Bingley to Mr Charles Bingley

Yorkshire, July 20

Now don’t you go listening to your pa, Charles, of course you’ll have your sisters to stay. They’ll be setting off tomorrow so you can expect them on Thursday.

Your doting Ma

Mr Darcy to Mr Bingley

Pemberley, Derbyshire, July 23

I was glad to hear you had been accepted at White’s. I am sure you will find it useful to have a club in town. White’s is the best, and of course St. James’s Street is a convenient location. If you will allow me, I will give you a word or two of advice. Avoid the seats in the bow window as they are jealously guarded by those who set value on such things. Avoid, too, the betting book. You will find men there who will try to entice you into betting on any trivial thing, such as which raindrop will reach the bottom of the window first, but you should ignore their blandishments. They will soon realise you mean what you say if you hold true to your resolve, and then they will not trouble you anymore. If you have any difficulties of any kind, just mention my name. And a final word: business is never spoken of at the club.

The weather here is very good. Would you care to join me at Pemberley? The countryside is very fine and you would be welcome to spend the rest of summer with Georgiana and myself. You will not lack for other company, as we are hosting a house party here. You will meet some of your old schoolfellows, as well as two of my cousins, and I am persuaded you will enjoy yourself.

Yours,

Darcy

Mr Bingley to Mr Darcy

London, July 25

My dear Darcy,

Upon my word, it is very good of you to invite me, I would like nothing better than to come and stay with you. I have heard a lot about Pemberley and I would like to see it. I have never seen Derbyshire, either, and I am already looking forward to it. My sisters are with me at present, but they will be returning to Yorkshire on Wednesday and then I will be happy to join you in Derbyshire.

Sincerely yours,

Bingley

Mr Darcy to Mr Bingley

Pemberley, Derbyshire, July 27

Good, then it is settled. Since your sisters must pass through Derbyshire on their way up to Yorkshire, I suggest they join us at Pemberley for a sennight to break their journey. They will be most welcome. There are plenty of good walks about, and there is good riding, too. I can supply them both with horses if they are horsewomen; if not, they will find plenty to do in the house and gardens. My sister has a pianoforte and a harp, and she often sketches and paints out of doors. Though some years younger than your sisters, she is looking forward to welcoming them, as I am. Mrs Reynolds has prepared rooms for you all and we will expect you later this week.

Yours,

Darcy

Miss Caroline Bingley to Mrs Bingley

London, July 28

Mama,

Louisa and I are going to Pemberley! Pemberley! One of the finest estates in England. How green all my friends will be. I am sure Miss Darcy will be just as delightful as her brother. She is some years younger than Mr Darcy, Charles says, but so much the better. Louisa and I are sure we will dote on her. She plays the pianoforte and the harp, which means we will have plenty of opportunities to play duets with her and sing whilst she plays; and of course we will play whilst she sings, too. How wonderful it will be, spending the summer in Derbyshire! The invitation is only for a sennight, but you must not expect us back in Yorkshire very soon, for I am sure we can make ourselves indispensable to Mr Darcy and his sister and then they will both be begging us to stay.

By the bye, we have been shopping, as you might imagine, for we are both determined to look our best. Just think, by this time next year I might be Mrs Darcy, and you might be visiting me at Pemberley. I will be sure to write to you often and let you know all about it.

Your dutiful daughter,

Caroline

Mrs Bingley to Miss Caroline Bingley

Yorkshire, July 30

My dear girl,

I knew that all that schooling would pay off in the end. I told your pa so, but would he listen? Not he! I had to put my foot down sharp and make him send you to the seminary, and see where it’s taken us! Now, don’t you stint at the dressmakers’; you need plenty of finery to keep up with all the lords and ladies. I’m not going to have them saying as how you look like you came from trade; and no need to mention it—these grand folks look down on things like that. I’m sure you’re just as good as any of them, and if you don’t catch yourself a rich husband, then my name’s not Bingley. Everyone says how you’re the most accomplished girl they’ve ever seen, with your French and your Italian and your goodness knows what. And elegant! The neighbourhood’s never seen anything like it. You can walk the length and breadth of a room with a book on your head, and I’ve never seen anyone do anything like that in my life. You make the most of your chances, my girl. Catch this Mr Darcy and then invite your old ma to Pemberley. What times we’ll have! And don’t you go counting the cost! Buy all the latest fashions and folderols and send the bills to your pa.

Your doting Ma

Miss Louisa Bingley to Mrs Bingley

London, July 31

Mama,

Will you speak to Caroline most seriously? She keeps saying that I must not try to attract Mr Darcy’s attention, nor engage his affections, when we go to Pemberley. She says that she is destined for Mr Darcy, she feels it most strongly, but this is absurd, she has never even met him. I am the eldest and I am the one with the strongest claim and I am sure I do not know why I should neglect a chance of fixing Mr Darcy. From what Charles says he is very rich and very handsome. Caroline will keep saying that I am as good as engaged to Mr Hurst, but Mr Hurst has not yet proposed, and he is so indolent that he might never summon up the energy to do so.

Do, pray, write to her, Mama, and do it by return.

Your loving daughter,

Louisa

AUGUST

Mrs Bingley to Miss Caroline Bingley

Yorkshire, August 1

My dear girl,

Now I know you have your heart set on this Mr Darcy, and small wonder if he is as rich and handsome as you say he is, but if he should happen to take a fancy to Louisa, then let him have her. We’ll all be visitors at Pemberley, just the same.

Your doting Ma

Miss Louisa Bingley to Mrs Bingley

London, August 2

Dear Mama,

I hope your letter has done some good. I am sure I wish Caroline every success, but I believe Mr Darcy will prefer me. Caroline and I have been shopping as you instructed and we have bought two new bonnets apiece. Caroline has bought a new string of pearls and a fan, and I have bought three new pairs of shoes and a new reticule, as well as a brooch. We would have bought new dresses but there was no time to have them made. There is no time for anything, we are off in half an hour!

Your loving daughter,

Louisa

Miss Caroline Bingley to Miss Violet Cranmore

London, August 2

My dear, sweet, most amiable friend,

How long it seems since we were at the seminary together, and how I miss our conversations! What a joy it was to have such congenial company. It seems an age since I saw you. Have you seen any of our friends since we left the seminary? I hope they have weathered the years better than Maria Roberts. I saw her in town yesterday and I could not believe how ill she appeared. She was very thin and had neglected her looks entirely. Her face was covered in freckles. You would have been horrified to see her and I did not know where to look. It was truly mortifying.

But of course you do not know that I am in London. Louisa and I are presently staying here with my brother Charles. However, when you reply, I beg you will address your letter to Miss Caroline Bingley, Pemberley, Derbyshire, for we are on our way there to spend the summer with Charles’s dearest friend, Fitzwilliam Darcy.

You will be pleased to know that my mama and papa are both well, as are my brothers and sisters. Do write to me at once, my fairest friend; I am anxious to hear that your family are well, and to hear all your news.

Caroline Bingley

Miss Violet Cranmore to Miss Caroline Bingley

Devon, August 4

My dearest, most adored friend,

How good it was to hear from you after such a long time, and how flattering to know that your communication was prompted by nothing more than a wish to be assured that my family and I are well. You will be relieved to know that they are all flourishing. My eldest sister is lately betrothed, and I am about to be betrothed as well. Papa thinks I am rather young, but Mama knows that it is True Love and so she does not stand in my way. You, of course, have plenty of time in which to find a husband. You are not so very old. Why, even Louisa, who is older than you, is not to be pitied, and when Sally Carpenter ventured to say that Louisa was becoming an old maid, I set her right at once.

I am very sorry you have to visit Mr Darcy. He is an ill-favoured man, I hear, and his park is very small.

Your eternally faithful friend,

Violet

Miss Caroline Bingley to Mrs Bingley

Pemberley, Derbyshire, August 4

Greetings and felicitations, dearest Mama.

You have never seen anything like Pemberley! It is the largest estate I have ever seen. There are woods and streams, and the drive is so long it took us ten minutes to reach the house. And what a house! The hall alone is larger than our morning room and dining room put together.

We were shown into the drawing room, where the furniture is the most handsome in the world. Almost as handsome as the master of the house! I never thought Charles would know anyone half so fine as Mr Darcy. He is tall, and even more handsome than his reputation, for you know the world is like to call a man handsome just because he is rich. He has dark hair and dark eyes, a fine figure and an air of being somebody. I would be very happy to live here all my days.

Write to Charles and tell him he must not speak of our leaving. I have told him so myself but he says that we must not outstay our welcome, but I am sure Mr Darcy will be just as glad to have us here for a fortnight as a sennight, particularly if we make ourselves agreeable to his sister. Pemberley is so large that two more visitors will not make any difference. And tell Papa he must buy an estate so that we might return Mr Darcy’s hospitality at once.

Your dutiful daughter,

Caroline

Mr Frederick Bingley to Mr Charles Bingley

Yorkshire, August 6

Well, my boy, you’ve done it now. It’s ‘Mr Darcy this’ and ‘Mr Darcy that’—your ma can talk of nothing else. She wants me to buy an estate so I can invite your friend to stay. ‘Can’t he stay here?’ I asked, but she gave me a look, you know how she is. She expects me to go out tomorrow and buy an estate before breakfast. I won’t deny I’ve been thinking of buying somewhere in the country, away from town, a nice plain house with a bit more space for all of us. Your brothers and sisters are growing up so fast I keep falling over ’em these days. Ned’s as big as I am and little Amelia is shooting up like a dandelion. But nothing will do for your mother unless it’s got corbels and columns. I’ve been scratching my head, trying to think what corbels might be, but I’m none the wiser, so if you know, let your old pa know, because your ma won’t be happy without ’em. I remember the time when all it took to make her happy was a new bonnet. Those were the days! I do my best, but between you and me, my boy, there’s no pleasing women. Just remember that and you won’t go wrong.

Your proud Pa

Mr Charles Bingley to Mr Frederick Bingley

Pemberley, Derbyshire, August 8

My dear Pa,

I have no more idea of what a corbel is than you do, upon my honour. Why not ask Ma? If she is so set on them, she must know what they are.

As for pleasing women, I beg to differ when you say that there is no way of doing it. There are dozens of women here and they seem very easy to please to me. I only have to dance with them or smile at them and they look at me in the most admiring manner. Upon my word, I never knew so many pretty girls existed. Darcy’s house is full of them. They come to dinner, they come to balls, they come to stay.

Caroline and Louisa were quite put out at first, but I believe they have rallied and they content themselves with saying that Miss Buchanan’s nose is too long or Miss Pearson’s neck is too short, when I believe that every nose and neck in the place is perfect.

Give my love to Ma and the little ones,

Charles

Miss Caroline Bingley to Mrs Bingley

Pemberley, Derbyshire, August 8

Greetings and felicitations, dearest Mama!

What a day we have had. The most elegant rooms, the most refined company, the conversation of intelligent people and the exhibition of the most superior accomplishments! But best of all, Mama, Mr Darcy. I am convinced he likes me. He smiled at me most particularly when I asked his sister to play for me, and he smiled again when I said how well she played.

It was no more than the truth, I am sure, and if that is all it takes to please him, then I will be happy to compliment her for the rest of my stay.

He never takes his eyes from her when she performs and so I suggested that we play a duet. I sat with my best profile towards him, you may be sure, and I was gratified to feel his eyes upon me. He was pleased with our performance and applauded us most assiduously when we had done!

There is a great deal of jealousy here, but that is only to be expected. One of the other young women tried to lower me in the eyes of the company by remarking that Papa owned a string of shops, but fortunately Mr Darcy had just stepped out of the room and the remaining gentlemen were all either old or married, so their opinions were of no importance.

I have much more to tell you but it is time to dress for dinner. Tell Papa I will be wearing my best jewels as well as the new brooch he gave me. I am going to dazzle Mr Darcy in my amber silk. I will send this letter at once to let you know how I get on and I will write again when I am able.

Your dutiful daughter,

Caroline

Colonel Fitzwilliam to Mr Darcy

Fitzwilliam House, London,

August 8

Darcy, I am sorry to inconvenience you, but I have been delayed in London and I will not be able to call on you at Pemberley as soon as I had hoped. Maud’s new brother-in-law wants to go into the army and I have promised to give him what help I can. I am meeting him in town in a few days’ time. He is travelling to town posthaste, as he is worried that all the fighting will be over before he has time to enlist. How I remember those days! I, too, used to fear that the war would be over before I had a chance to make my mark, but it is still dragging on, five years after Louis was executed, and despite a recent improvement in matters, I fear another five years will not see the end of it. Rumour has reached me of a naval victory at Aboukir Bay, and I hope it may be so, for it will give our navy command of the Mediterranean once more and ensure the safety of our trade in the Indies. But even if rumour speaks true, there are many battles to be won before we win the war. We need more men, and if Maud’s brother-in-law seems promising, I will exert my influence to help him.

Maud is very happy, you will be pleased to know. She asks me to give you her love, and tells me to remember her to Georgiana.

Yours,

Henry

Mr Darcy to Colonel Fitzwilliam

Pemberley, Derbyshire, August 10

The delay in your visit is no inconvenience, and Georgiana and I are looking forward to seeing you. We have a large party here and I think you will enjoy yourself. Charles Bingley is here with his sisters. I was right to take the trouble to know him better; he is an affable addition to our party. Although his father made his money in trade, having a string of shops in the north, Bingley has escaped the evils of his situation. He is proud of his father’s enterprise, but in a quiet way, and does not embarrass himself—or me—by seeking to ingratiate himself with the local gentry. He is just Charles, cheerful, honest and generous spirited, and it is a pleasure to have him here.

His sisters, Louisa and Caroline, are very different. I suggested they join us as they were staying with Charles and would have to pass close by on their journey home, but they are far more conscious of their position. However, they are company for Georgiana. They are well educated, accomplished and very kind to her. They sing with her and play duets with her and go out riding with her, and so I tolerate their attempts to win my attention—or rather, to win my hand and my house. They will try to win your hand and your house, too, or should I say your father’s house? But you are used to such assaults and well able to defend yourself and so I will say no more.

Yours,

Darcy

Colonel Fitzwilliam to Mr Darcy

Fitzwilliam House, London,

August 12

My duty is done. I found Maud’s brother-in-law to be a promising young man and I have helped him to a commission, and now I am free to join you. I am already looking forward to it. The army offers many things, but an excess of well-bred female company is not one of them. I have had little company in London whilst on leave, either. Town is empty in the summer and everyone is on their estates. I am sure I will enjoy talking to your houseguests, even Louisa and Caroline! They may set their caps at me if they please, but I will give them fair warning that an earl’s son has expensive tastes and that, if he is not the heir, as is my own sad case, he must take an heiress to wife.

By the bye, I saw George Wickham in town yesterday. At first I was not sure it was he, but he saw me and recognised me. I would as soon have walked on but he hailed me and so we exchanged a few words—a very few, for he was roaring drunk, though it was the middle of the afternoon. He was with some very unsavoury people, a man—I can hardly call him a gentleman—Matthew Parker, and two women. One of the women was hanging around George’s neck and the other was bestowing her ample attentions on Parker. I could not understand more than one word in three, for his speech was slurred and he kept forgetting what he was saying, but I think he was trying to ask me for money. I am very sorry for it. I remember him when we were boys. He was likeable enough then. Perhaps he used his charm too freely to get his own way, but nothing worse.

With all his advantages of person, and all the material advantages your father gave him, I thought he would do better for himself. I thought—or at least I hoped—he would take after his father, who was a good man. I liked Mr Wickham very much, as you did, but I fear that George will come to a bad end.

Yours,

Henry

Mr Darcy to Colonel Fitzwilliam

Pemberley, Derbyshire, August 14

Henry, it will do you no good to tell Caroline you are in need of an heiress as she has twenty thousand pounds. You must think of another excuse, unless you take a liking to her, in which case your problems are solved. I am sure she would like nothing better than to marry the son of an earl. Poor Charles is embarrassed at her antics, but she is young yet, and she has time to change. Once she is used to mixing in superior company, she will no doubt find it less exciting and behave herself accordingly. Let us hope so, for Charles’s sake as well as our own.

I am sorry to hear about George Wickham, but not surprised. I watched him sink at university and although I tried to help him, it was impossible. He was always in the wrong company and spent much of his time drunk, and if not drunk, then not entirely sober. He spent more than his allowance and railed against fate for not providing him with more. Since leaving university he has sunk still further. I have seen him occasionally in town, drunk and in very low company.

To begin with, I gave him money, but despite his protestations that he would use it to furnish himself with a career, he abandoned everything he attempted.

I have done more for him than I was inclined to do, because of the love my father bore him, but to no avail. Once he runs through the money he has had from me, what then?

I would be obliged if you would not mention his shortcomings to Georgiana. She still remembers him fondly, as he was kind to her when he was a boy living on the estate. I do not want to spoil her memories of him, for she has precious few happy memories of that time. Her childhood was too often overshadowed by death.

You will be pleased to find her much grown, and very accomplished. She plays very well, and sings with a true sweetness of voice. Her painting is progressing and some of her work is now hanging in the parlour. She is working on a portrait of Ullswater at the moment and it is very promising. I have told her I will hang it in the library when it is finished, although I do not know when that will be: Ullswater has a dislike of sitting still, and is constantly hampering Georgiana’s best efforts by bounding off after rabbits.

Mrs Reynolds has had your room ready for weeks and you may come as soon as you please. You know you are always welcome here at any time.

Your cousin,

Darcy

Miss Louisa Bingley to Mrs Bingley

Pemberley, Derbyshire, August 14

Dear Ma,

Pemberley is the most elegant house in all of England, and Mr Darcy and his sister are the most agreeable people, except for his pride and his aloofness and his air of looking down on everyone all the time. Caroline says that shows his quality. She is fast becoming as superior as he is. Not that it does her any good, for I can perceive no special regard when he looks at her, though Caroline is sure he is about to propose at any minute.

His sister is charming. She is a great deal younger than he, being about fourteen years old, but already very accomplished. She sings and plays extremely well, and Caroline practises assiduously every morning so that she shall not seem inferior.

We are to have another visitor soon. Mr Darcy’s cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam will be here in the next few days. He was meant to be here sooner but he was delayed on business and this has given us an excuse to remain, for Caroline said how much she was looking forward to meeting him, and so Mr Darcy could hardly hurry us out of the house before he arrived. Of course, she has no interest in him, only in Mr Darcy. It is a pity, for I am sure a military man would suit Caroline. It would solve everything if she should take a fancy to him, and he to her; then I can marry Mr Darcy and live at Pemberley. I do not despair of it.

There is the dinner gong. I must go. Write and let me know if you have seen anything of Mr Hurst. Has he noticed my absence?

Your loving daughter,

Louisa

Miss Caroline Bingley to Mrs Bingley

Pemberley, Derbyshire,

August 16

Greetings and felicitations, dearest Mama.

What a week we are having! I hardly have time to tell you about any of it, but I had to let you know that Colonel Fitzwilliam has arrived. We have all been awaiting him with anticipation, and now at last he is here. He is tall and well built, and best of all he is the son of an earl, though a younger son and not very handsome. However, if his three elder brothers were to die, he would be Lord Fitzwilliam, and if I were to marry him, I would then be Lady Fitzwilliam. But as it is, a military man with no fortune and no title…perhaps he will do for Louisa. She says she prefers Mr Hurst, but if he has not come up to scratch yet, then perhaps he never will.

I hope we may meet some of Mr Darcy’s other relatives whilst we are here. Georgiana speaks of them often and she thinks that her aunt Lady Catherine de Bourgh may join us.

There is a portrait of Lady Catherine hanging in the gallery—Ma, you must tell Pa we need a gallery when he buys an estate, and he must have someone paint my portrait—and she looks very commanding. She is the sister of Mr Darcy’s mother. She has a daughter, Miss Anne de Bourgh, and I am sure that Anne and I would be great friends. I hope she comes to Pemberley, for then I might be invited to Rosings Park, which is said to be very fine. I have told Mr Darcy how agreeable Anne looks and I have dropped several hints about my desire to see Kent, which made Charles look uncomfortable. He took me to task, but I am sure Mr Darcy thought nothing odd about it. He seemed pleased that I liked the look of his relations.

The other ladies here make me laugh with their blatant attempts to win his favour, but I am persuaded he is not taken in by their flattery.

Your dutiful daughter,

Caroline

Miss Louisa Bingley to Mrs Bingley

Pemberley, Derbyshire,

August 17

Ma, you must tell Caroline not to be so superior, because she is making herself ridiculous. She was admiring the portraits in the hall yesterday, trying to pretend to be knowledgeable about art, and then she went on to admire the miniatures by the fireplace, saying that the dark boy was very handsome and pretending to be surprised when Mr Darcy said it was a picture of him. Then she said that the fair boy next to him was handsome, too, thinking it to be a relative, and no doubt thinking she might meet him and marry him one day, only to find that it was a painting of Mr Darcy’s late steward’s son, who has turned out very wild. I saw Colonel Fitzwilliam laughing at her, but when I told her about it later she said that I had completely misunderstood the matter and that he had been laughing with her because she had expressed her sorrow at George Wickham’s unsatisfactory nature and had said, ‘How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have an ungrateful child.’ Now, don’t worry, Mama, it has nothing to do with serpents, there are no snakes here, it is just something out of Shakespeare and Caroline wanted to show the Colonel that she had been to a seminary. But I am still sure that he was laughing at her and not smiling admiringly as she said.

Let me know if you have any news of Mr Hurst.

Your loving daughter,

Louisa

Mr Wickham to Mr Darcy

The Black Bull, London,

August 23

My dear Darcy,

Can it really be three years since I last heard from you? It is, I am sure, and small wonder. You have been busy with the estate, and of course with your guardianship of Georgiana. How is she? Well, I hope, and as affectionate and pleasing as ever. I dare say she is becoming a beauty. I have many happy memories of the time we spent together, all three of us, inmates of the same estate, sharing the same amusements, growing up at Pemberley. They were happy days, and I know your father watched our friendship with pleasure and gratification. He was one of the best men that ever breathed, the truest friend I ever had, and his behaviour to me was beyond compare.

Your cousin Henry was often with us, too. I saw him in town recently; he was looking very well. The army has been working him hard but he has no complaints. He likes the life and says it has been good to him. I promised to send you his greetings, which is one of the reasons for this letter, the other being that it is too long since we have exchanged letters. My only excuse is that I have been busy.

When last I wrote, I was studying for the law, but it proved to be unprofitable. A man in my position, in such bad circumstances—for you know I have my way to make in the world, as I do not have an inheritance—must have something to live on. I looked about me for another career and the more I thought about it, the more I realised that I have a calling for the church, after all, so I plan to become ordained. I am sure you remember that your revered father, my dearest godfather, promised me the living of Kympton in his will. As I hear that the rector has recently died, and as you have no other person to provide for, I trust you will give it to me, as was your father’s intention.

Your very great friend,

George

Mr Darcy to Mr Wickham

Pemberley, Derbyshire, August 25

I am deeply sorry that you have found the law unprofitable, but the church, or at least Kympton, is not for you. As you will no doubt remember, you relinquished all claim to it in return for a substantial sum of money. I cannot help thinking it was a narrow escape for the people of Kympton. They need someone who can save their souls and you, George, cannot even save your own. I respectfully, therefore, decline to present you with the living.

Darcy

Miss Louisa Bingley to Mrs Bingley

Pemberley, Derbyshire, August 25

Dear Ma,

The atmosphere has been somewhat strained today, on account of a letter Mr Darcy received this morning. I do not know what was in it, but it came from the late steward’s son, Mr Wickham, and it angered Mr Darcy greatly. He read it at the breakfast table and his face darkened, then he screwed it into a ball, excused himself and walked out of the room.

Caroline is welcome to him if she wants him, for he is an awful sight when he is angry and I do not believe I would know what to do with such a man. But Caroline was nothing daunted. She followed him and tried to talk to him but he was brief with her and quickly left the house with Charles and some of the other gentlemen.

Caroline returned to the drawing room and we amused ourselves by playing the pianoforte and singing and then we invited Georgiana to join us at the pianoforte. She is a sweet girl with a pleasing manner and she is a great favourite with us. Then we all went out riding together. The countryside hereabouts is very beautiful, particularly on a clear day.

We met Charles when we arrived back at the house and we did not rest until we found out what was in the letter. Charles did not know everything but he said that George Wickham had behaved disgracefully, despite Mr Darcy’s many kindnesses to him, and that Mr Darcy is well rid of him. There was something about an argument over a living which Mr Wickham thought himself entitled to, but was completely unsuited for.

Then Charles began to talk about our leaving Pemberley. Some of the other guests are talking of leaving, too. Colonel Fitzwilliam has been recalled to his regiment, something to do with a rumour that a General Bonaparte is leaving Egypt and returning to France. It has made the gentlemen uneasy, for if Bonaparte returns to France, there seems to be some feeling that it might be bad for us.

Caroline said that we had no need to fear a General Bonaparte when we had a Colonel Fitzwilliam on our side, but though Colonel Fitzwilliam bowed, it was clear he thought her a fool.

Lady Japhet smiled in a superior manner, like a cat who has got the cream, for she is setting her cap at Colonel Fitzwilliam and she knew Caroline had made a grievous mistake. She remarked that a colonel was not quite enough to rid us of a general, but that, as the daughter of a shopkeeper, Caroline could not be expected to understand the difference in the military ranks. Caroline tried to think of a cutting retort but could not do so, although she has thought of half a dozen since.

We have told Charles there is no need for us to leave but you must tell him so, too. Mr Darcy seems happy to have us here because we are company for his sister. Caroline wants to stay because she has not given up hope of winning his affections and I have little reason to return to Yorkshire.

Your loving daughter,

Louisa

Mr Wickham to Mr Parker

London, August 27

Matthew, it is all up with me. I asked Darcy for the living but he refused me. He said the people of Kympton need someone who can save their souls and I cannot even save my own. D——n him! Kympton would have been perfect. The rectory is a large house and the income is generous. I could have left all the work to my curate and lived a life of ease. God knows what I will do now. You and I are both pockets to let. Did you have any luck with your family? Have they agreed to give you anything?

Wickham

Mr Parker to Mr Wickham

York, August 30

No luck here. You will have to write to Darcy again. It will not do to approach him at once. Wait long enough for it to seem reasonable that you have mended your ways, then write to him again. Thank him for his honesty and tell him that his words have made you look at yourself and realise what you have become. Tell him you have set your feet on the path of righteousness but tell him also how difficult it is for a man without connections to pick himself up. Play on his sympathy. Remind him of his father’s love for you. Say anything and everything, but get him to give you some money.

Parker

SEPTEMBER

Mr Wickham to Mr Parker

London, September 5

I will do my best. I will wait until the New Year, a time of new beginnings when he might, perhaps, believe I have mended my ways. He will have filled the living of Kympton by then but he will have other livings in his gift, almost as valuable, and why should I not have one of them? A comfortable rectory, an annual stipend and the position of a gentleman are things worth playing for. I will just have to muddle through till then.

Wickham

Mrs Bingley to Miss Louisa Bingley

Yorkshire, September 6

My dear girl, come home at once. Mr Hurst is here! He got here this morning and called at the house when I was out. Your pa entertained him but never mind, I’m sure Mr Hurst will overlook the fact that your pa talked to him about his shops and then offered him a glass of ale instead of something more genteel. Mr Hurst asked about all the family and then asked about you particular like. Mr Darcy is all very well, but ‘a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.’ You see, your old ma knows Shakespeare, too. Come home soon; we’ll have you married before the year is out.

Your doting Ma

Miss Louisa Bingley to Mrs Bingley

Pemberley, Derbyshire,

September 8

Ma, I’m ready to come home straightaway but Caroline says there is no call for her to leave. Most of the other ladies have gone home and she is overjoyed that she has Mr Darcy all to herself. But it will look very odd if she stays, so tell her she must come with me. Charles has told her so already but she won’t listen to him; she’s too busy telling Mr Darcy that he does everything better than everyone else. She sings to him, she flatters him, she parades around in front of him, she does everything but ask him to marry her. Ma, tell her she’s got to come, and get Pa to tell her, too. And whatever you do, don’t tell Mr Hurst that ‘a bird in the hand’ is Shakespeare, dearest Ma, because it isn’t, you know.

Your loving daughter,

Louisa

Mrs Bingley to Miss Caroline Bingley

Yorkshire, September 10

Now, Caroline, you’ve got to come home with your sister. Mr Darcy won’t run away. If he hasn’t asked you to marry him yet, then he’s not going to do it, leastways not when you’re there. Let him see how empty that big house of his is without you, and let him see how much his sister misses you—that’s the way to do it. You’ll have him eating out of your hand in no time. If not, your pa’s going to buy an estate and then we can have this Mr Darcy to stay and we’ll see what another few weeks will do. Your pa’s writing to Charles and telling him to bring you both home, so let’s have no more nonsense.

Your doting Ma

Miss Caroline Bingley to Miss Violet Cranmore

London, September 15

My dear, sweet, most amiable friend,

How good of you to write me such an estimable letter, setting my mind at ease about your family. I would have replied sooner, but Mr Darcy gave me no peace at Pemberley, wanting my opinion on this matter or that matter, until he quite wore me out. You will be relieved to know that your intelligence was altogether wrong, and that far from being an ill-favoured man he is very handsome, and as for his park being small, why, it is huge. We have but lately parted and he has invited Charles, Louisa and myself to spend Christmas with him.

Louisa thanks you for your kind defence of her and begs me to tell you that she is recently betrothed to Mr Hurst, a gentleman of fashion who adores her. As for myself, I will say nothing at this time, other than that I believe it is worth waiting for the right man, rather than jumping at the first man who offers. Pray do not go thinking I mean you and your sister, my dear Violet, for nothing could be further from my mind, but we both know that there are females for whom any husband is an object, no matter what he is like.

Your dear friend,

Caroline

DECEMBER

Mr Bingley to Mr Darcy

Yorkshire, December 1

My dear Darcy,

It is like your kindness to me to renew your Christmas invitation, and in other circumstances I would like nothing better than to spend Christmas at Pemberley. Caroline and Louisa feel the same as I do, but we have had a sad event here and so we must regretfully decline. My father died not six weeks ago and we are all cast down by his loss; upon my honour we find it very difficult to believe he has gone. He lived long enough to see Louisa married to Mr Hurst but no longer. My mama is downhearted but carries on. She grieves for him deeply but she has the little ’uns to look after and says she cannot afford to go into a decline. Besides, he was many years her senior and she knew it was likely that she would outlive him. As for the rest of us, we miss him deeply but we all must carry on. My brother Ned means to take over my father’s trade and Caroline and Louisa will stay at home to help Mama for as long as they are needed. As for myself, once I have attended to all the matters arising from his death, I mean to carry out his plan of buying an estate sometime next year. Perhaps I can trespass on your kindness and ask for your help in the matter, since it is something I know nothing about. But for now I must remain in Yorkshire and tie up the rest of his affairs. I hope to be finished in time for Christmas, but it will be a sad affair without my father. We will celebrate in style for the sake of the little ’uns, but I think that otherwise we would all prefer a quieter affair.

Thank you again for your kind invitation.

Charles

Mr Darcy to Mr Bingley

Darcy House, London,

December 3

My dear Charles,

I know how difficult it is to lose a father. You have my sympathy. If there is any way in which I can help you, you have only to ask. Georgiana will be as sorry as I am that you are not to spend Christmas with us.

Of course I will give you my help with finding an estate, whenever you are ready to look for one. I think it an excellent idea. A man of your standing should have a family seat and I am sure your sisters would welcome it.

I will be going to my Fitzwilliam cousins for a few weeks in January and then to my cousin Philip’s estate in Wiltshire in February but I hope to see you in town thereafter. You must spend the summer with us at Pemberley. Your sisters and your brother-in-law are welcome. Georgiana will be very glad to see you all again. She has been practising some new pieces on the pianoforte and I know she will be eager to play duets with Caroline and Louisa.

In the meantime, I hope that you and your family are able to make a tolerable Christmas.

Sincerely yours,

Darcy

Mrs Bennet to Mrs Gardiner

Longbourn, Hertfordshire,

December 4

Sister, you must come to us for Christmas as usual, we are all expecting it and the girls are looking forward to seeing their cousins.

We have need of you here, for the Lucases are getting above themselves now that Mr Lucas has been made a knight, though what he did to deserve it I cannot imagine, only made an address to the King, and I am sure that Mr Bennet could have done it just as well if only anyone had taken the trouble to ask him. And now we must call Mr Lucas ‘Sir William’ and see him give up his business and move out of town and call his new home Lucas Lodge, when it has been called Wayside Cottage ever since it was built. But there, they are putting a new veranda on, as if that made a difference, and think themselves very fine. Lydia laughed and said that we might as well call our house Bennet Palace, and I am sure she is right.

Ah! Lydia. She is a comfort to me, sister, and I do not know where I would be without her, for my other girls are a trial to me. You do not know what it is like to be a mother to five girls, and not one of them married, though Lydia is so spirited I swear she will marry before any of them. She is a little young to be going into company, to be sure, but she set up such a commotion when we left her behind the other day that we now take her with us wherever we go. She does not look out of place, for she is as tall as her sisters, and I believe she will soon overtop them all.

When you come to us, pray bring the latest fashion books. I will not have it said that my girls are behind the times.

There are rumours that the Sothertons are so heavily in debt they will have to leave Netherfield Park and then rent it out to strangers. I am sorry for them, I am sure, but if a family with five sons should happen to take the Park, it would be a very good thing for my girls.

Write soon and let us know if you will be joining us for Christmas.

Your fond sister,

Janet

Mrs Gardiner to Misses Elizabeth and Jane Bennet

Gracechurch Street, London,

December 6

My dear Lizzy and Jane,

Is it true, as your mama says, that the Sothertons might have to leave Netherfield Park? If so, I am sorry for it. Whatever your mama’s hopes as to the possible tenants might be, old friends are never to be treated lightly, and any new people in the neighbourhood must be viewed with clear-sightedness—even if a family with five sons, all eligible, should take the house. Fortunately, you both have a great deal of sense, and I expect you to use it.

But perhaps things will not come to such a pass. There is yet a chance that Mr Sotherton will see the error of his ways and retrench before such a step becomes inevitable. I hope so, for it will be a blow to you both to lose Susan, and Mary will miss Lucy, just as Kitty and Lydia will miss Eleanor.

Speaking of your younger sisters, I do not like to think of Lydia being out so soon. She is not yet fifteen, and young for her age. She has always been giddy and prone to rashness, even if she is so very tall; in fact, I think her height is a danger, for it leads people to assume she is older than she is.

Your mother has been unwise to indulge her in this particular. I know that I can say as much to you, Jane and Lizzy, for you are sensible enough to have seen it for yourselves.

I hope to use what influence I might have to curtail your mother’s indulgence of Lydia when I see you all in less than a fortnight. But in the meantime you must do what you can to lessen the evils of such folly, by reminding Lydia how she should behave and by dissuading your mama from including Lydia in the evening parties wherever possible.

It has been a long time since we have seen you. The children are already talking of nothing but coming to Longbourn and I am looking forward to seeing you all. You must tell me if there is anything you would like me to bring you from town. There will be some room in the carriage, although not very much, as the children are growing all the time. Your uncle complains that soon he will have to sit on the roof!

Give my love to your sisters,

Your fond Aunt Gardiner

Miss Elizabeth Bennet to Mrs Gardiner

Longbourn, Hertfordshire,

December 8

Dear Aunt Gardiner,

Nothing is certain with the Sothertons yet, but it seems likely that they will have to let Netherfield Park very soon as my mother says. Mr Morris—Mr Sotherton’s man of business—is going to speak to him seriously in the New Year and try to persuade him of the necessity to economise, but Susan has little hope of him succeeding.

One thing is certain, however: they cannot remain at the Park unless there is a change in Mr Sotherton. And if every attempt to change him fails, then Mrs Sotherton is intending to go to Bath after Easter and look for some suitable property for them to rent.

It is hoped that the sober air of Bath might do something to cure Mr Sotherton of his propensities, and if not, at least the family will have the income from Netherfield Park to sustain them, for they hope it will be possible to live very cheaply in Bath.

I hope it does not come to that. I will miss Susan dreadfully if she goes, and Mary, I know, will find Lucy hard to replace. Jane will bear the loss of her friends as she bears everything, with goodness and grace, and I believe that Lydia will not mourn the loss of Ellie for very long. She has made a new friend since coming out, Miss Watson, and the two of them laugh and gossip whenever they get together, which is very often, since Miss Watson lives not far from my aunt Philips’s house.

Papa has taken out a subscription to the library in Meryton and we are all now frequent visitors. Lydia goes there in the hope of meeting her friends, and with the desire of showing off her latest bonnet; Kitty is very much Lydia’s shadow; Jane and I like to peruse the new books; and Mary is enthralled. She has borrowed a selection of improving books for young women and she reads to us over the breakfast table, then she copies her favourite extracts into a little book.

Did you know, aunt, that ‘One of the chief beauties in a female character is that modest reserve, that retiring delicacy, which avoids the public eye’? Mary has taken this piece of advice so much to heart that yesterday she refused to take tea with my aunt Philips, since she would have to be seen by the public eye when she walked into Meryton, and would therefore lose one of her chief beauties.

Papa asked her whether the public eye were the left one or the right one, and he expressed his deep regret when she could not answer him. He recommended her to discover it, so that she could walk on either the right side or the left side of the road and therefore visit her aunt in safety.

‘Or is it, perhaps, a Cyclopean eye, set in the middle of the forehead?’ he asked. ‘If so, it is something singularly lacking in all of our acquaintance and you might therefore go about as you please.’

It was very wrong of him to tease her, but we are all becoming tired of her moralising.

You ask if there is anything I would like from London. Apart from news of the latest fashions and yourselves, then no, there is nothing. I am eager to see you again.

Your affectionate niece,

Lizzy