Derbyshire

Darcy old friend

I am the happiest of men. My lovely Jane is no less beautiful nor less kind and has allowed me the pleasure of courting her. I have spent about a month in this happy state, which has to be my excuse for not writing earlier. She is an angel and nothing I can write will do her justice.

Things in Hertfordshire are going well. Any advice about spring planting will be most appreciated although Mr Bennet has been kind enough to offer help also and my steward remains competent. He has more time now that his household is less busy, Mr Bennet that is. With one daughter married to Mr Collins and one away to London I think he is grateful for some extra diversion.

I hope you will stand up with me when I finally am made the happiest of men.

Yours

Charles

Darcy read the missive with difficulty. The scrawling writing and many blots characteristic of Bingley's style made reading his letters an act of interpretation. He read the line about one daughter being married to Mr Collins and his heart constricted a little. Could it be? Surely not his Elizabeth married to that man. But he thought about the other Bennet daughters and couldn't see how he would choose any of the others over her. A form of panic washed over him. He tried to think how to act, but if she was married the deed was done, it could not be undone. But how could he find out? He couldn't write and ask, not specifically enough to guarantee answers. He could only wait and see. Mr Collins was the parson of his Aunt, he would surely meet his wife there. He had no idea how he would face her if it was Elizabeth.

He was grieved, he wanted to hear of her, when there seemed the least chance of it. He began to see how their union would have been beneficial to both. Her ease and liveliness would have helped him in society, she was exactly the woman who would suit him most. How foolish his consideration of her station in life as not being good enough for him. Richards words came back to him. Did he need more wealth or connections?

Georgiana noticed his changed demeanor that evening at dinner. And that he avoided her and any conversation through the coming days and weeks worried her. Finally she had enough. She raised her courage and went to him in his study. She was going to berate him but the sight of him tired and slightly disheveled at his desk made her pause.

"Oh brother, will you not tell me what ails you? It breaks my heart to see you like this!"

He looked up, startled at such a direct declaration from his younger sister.

"Please William, you must talk to someone!"

"You cannot help Georgiana. But I thank you for your concern!"

"No William, I will not be dismissed. I may not be able to help but a burden shared is a burden halved surely?"

She was right and he knew he needed to unburden. He had all but convinced himself that Elizabeth was married but if she wasn't he would need Georgiana's support.

"You are correct of course Georgie," so he began his story. She listened in silence and gasped at the part where he mentioned Bingley's letter and his supposition.

"Oh brother, you cannot be sure. You said she has 4 sisters, anyone could have caught his attention. Did you notice any partiality on his part?"

"No Georgiana I did not. But I was not paying him much attention I'm afraid. Her younger sisters are all silly and two are almost improper, it is highly unlikely he looked to either of them. The middle I am ashamed to say I didn't pay much attention to, an attachment there is possible I guess."

"William we are away to London in a few weeks and you are to Kent not long after that. You will find out then. Do not despair until there is a reason to."

"Wise words dear sister. I shall try to heed them. Now shall we have some music and tea to soothe the soul. I shall be well. Thank you!"

January and February passed away in Hertfordshire. Mr Bingley had much to do to get the spring planting ready at Netherfield. He sought Mr Bennet's council when needed and spent most of his free time in Jane's company. Their bond grew strong and a proposal was considered imminent. Elizabeth was truly happy for her kindest sister but she was slightly jealous of the strong bond of mutual respect and affection and she thought about her possibilities.

Her thoughts went back to Mr Darcy. How could she be so enamored after so short an acquaintance? What she knew of his character and conversation were just what she wanted in a man. But he had left, left Hertfordshire, left her. Did that not show how little he cared for her, or how beneath him she was. No matter how she thought on it she felt it was a hopeless case. Any time she tried to convince herself that she may find another man, her heart whispered that no one else would do.

With things as they stood in Hertfordshire she was looking forward to her trip to Kent. She had suggested to Jane that maybe she should stay to aid in wedding preparations whence the inevitable was announced.

"Dear Elizabeth, I know things here are difficult for you at the moment." Elizabeth made to protest but Jane held up her hand "nay Elizabeth, I love you but I am much occupied at present, and with Mary and Lydia gone, life at Longbourn is not enough for you at the moment. You should go, Mary needs someone to see how things are for her and a change will help you with whatever is pressing on you."

Jane had noticed her lessened spirits but Elizabeth had passed it off as a combination of their diminished family party and the weather being such to keep her indoors. Jane was not convinced but was not one to pry and so let her be hoping she would confide when she was ready.

It was a journey of only twenty-four miles, and they began it so early as to be in Gracechurch Street by noon. As they drove to Mr. Gardiner's door, Lydia was at a drawing-room window watching their arrival; when they entered the passage, she was there to welcome them, and Elizabeth, looking earnestly in her face, was pleased to see it full of her usual good humour.

On the stairs were a troop of little boys and girls, whose eagerness for their cousin's appearance would not allow them to wait in the drawing-room, and whose shyness, as they had not seen her for a twelvemonth, prevented their coming lower. All was joy and kindness. The day passed most pleasantly away; the morning in bustle and shopping, and the evening at one of the theatres.

Only short discourse could be had between Elizabeth and Lydia but she seemed to be well. She would study or practice into the morning and seemed to be happy with these pursuits. She was sharing some education with a lady down the street and the governess was teaching them about many different aspects of their social strata. She spent most afternoons receiving visitors or walking in the local park if her aunt was out. Elizabeth thought this odd and asked Lydia about it.

"Lydia I had not thought you one to enjoy walking, how has it come about your change in opinion?'

'La Lizzie, I must just miss the countryside. The park here has many attractions"

Elizabeth did not miss the blush on her sisters face, but Lydia turned the conversation and Elizabeth did not bring it up again.

At a later hour she managed to gain some time to ask her aunt about it.

"Yes, I thought it out of character but so much about Lydia is different. She is so good with her studies that we didn't see the issue. Is here a reason you are concerned?"

"Just something in the way she said it, please aunt would you investigate for me? I am unsure what I expect you to find. If it is nothing you can leave things as they stand."

Her aunt agreed to check next time it occurred.

"I thank you, it will give me peace of mind!"

The conversation moved on to Lizzie's trip to Kent on the morrow.