Pride and Prejudice – The Letters
A/N: Firstly, thanks for reading! Just thought I'd put a little note here to explain exactly when this letter takes place in the orginal novel Pride and Prejudice and how it all relates to this series of letters. This particular letter is taking place before the novel begins, what I think Bingley may have been up to before Jane Austen pictures Darcy and Bingely gazing at Netherfield - hopefully it's realistic!
There will be more letters to come so keep looking out for them!
And, of course, the wonderful creation that is Pride and Prejudice and it's characters do not belong to me, nor will they ever do sadly.
Enjoy! Thanks, Vicky123
Letter One – Charles Bingley to Fitzwilliam Darcy
Darcy,
I am greatly enjoying my time in Hertfordshire. I have met so many pleasant girls and dined at many fine, handsome houses and estates, but all of them lacking a certain quality that could become nothing but Pemberley. I truly cannot express my delight in finally being in Hertfordshire! My company in general is very pleasant and the shooting parties, of course very pleasing.
I have been told many times of a family called Bennet, in fact it seems as though the two eldest daughters are quite famous among these parts! Alas I have not been to the area of Hertfordshire in which they reside, but I daresay I shall.
Louisa and Caroline write daily to beg my return to London, but I find I am very well suited to Hertfordshire, something which displeases Caroline due to the shortages of fine silks to be had at Watford, where people frequently change horses for their journeys further into the country.
I have had the good fortune to have been informed of, I daresay, very agreeable residence in this fine country, with close proximity to the charming local village of Meryton I understand. Although the charms of the Bennet daughters appear to be an attraction for many men, I will not admit to being such a man when I say that the village of Meryton boasts a sizeable country house belonging to a Mr Bennet and his wife. Their residence is but 5 miles from the property I told you of – Netherfield Park.
I will journey to see the house next Tuesday and I write to ask your assistance in this matter, for you are far more experienced in these matters. Although I shall deprive you of dear Georgiana's company for a few weeks, I believe you will grow to love Hertfordshire as I have done. I have also written to Caroline to request her assistance on this property, as she is to be house keeper for me. However, she will not attend, it seems, as she has several very important engagements in London to keep and does not hear any accounts of Hertfordshire to please her. Indeed, her response to my asking for her presence here was that she should not have let me into this wretched county at all, in fact she was sure that you, Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam would try to prevent it! How I despair of her changed conduct at times, Darcy – how interested in me she used to be before Father's death.
No matter, for I shall expect you Tuesday, unless you send express a decline of my invitation.
Forever in your debt,
Charles Bingley