Author's Note:
Hello everyone! This is the first time I'm publishing anything. I really loved writing this, and I hope you will enjoy reading it. If I have made any mistake anywhere, please free to tell me about it. Thank you for reading it!
There is a change in the timeline of the story though. Mr Bingley doesn't let Netherfield until February, so they stay in Hertfordshire till March. Also, Jane does not go to London.
Please review and I again hope you enjoy reading the story!
Chapter 1
It was a beautiful spring day with flowers blooming everywhere and birds singing away merrily from their perches on tree-tops. The weather was pleasant with the wind blowing around lightly— putting everyone in a cheerful mood. All in all, it was a very peaceful day.
The afternoon in the Bennet household found a few members of the Bennet family-namely, Jane, Elizabeth and Nathan- sitting in the —room, each engrossed with their own work. Jane was sewing a few summer dresses for the Cooper children—their tenants' children, that is. Lizzy had been challenged by Julian the previous day, to finish a 400-paged tome within two days, so she was duly absorbed in her book; Nathan was in the meanwhile replying to some letters from his friends.
They were in this fashion silently preoccupied for some time when a maid came to inform them that her master awaited all three of them in his study. Looking at each other bemusedly, they hurried to their father's study, each wondering silently at the possible reason behind it.
As they entered their father's study— which also served as their library—they found their father sitting in his chair behind the table, perusing what happened to be a letter. "Children, come, come sit down," he said distractedly.
"Is everything well, father?" Nathan asked as soon as they had all sat down.
"Yes, everything is well, except it is indeed very surprising and very unexpected. I still hardly know what to think. Children, do you remember your mother's argument with Aunt Gertrude and the reasons behind it?" They all nodded their assent, greatly surprised to say anything.
The argument had taken place almost eight years ago, and since then all mentions of their aunt— who was the only sibling of their father— had ceased in the house.
"An hour and a half ago, I received this missive from your Aunt Gertrude. Here perhaps you would like to read it."
Jane, who was sitting closer to her father caught the letter from his hand, and started reading it aloud.
"Woodlandshire, in Nottinghamshire, Tuesday, April 23.
"My dear brother,
"I pray this letter finds you and your family well. I know this letter will come as a great surprise to you, but pray do not throw it to the fire just yet. I am perfectly aware that given the nature of our farewell— the last time I saw you and your family— and the condemnable manner in which I spoke with your wife provides you with every freedom to ignore this missive, but this letter, as you will find, is not a renewal of those sentiments. Sentiments, which on my uttering them gave great pain to your wife and yourself.
"You must believe me when I write that I have long deeply regretted my words now. It gradually came to me that I had indeed no right to spew such hateful insults to your wife. While it may be true, that Mrs Bennet was not fortunate enough to have gained an education equal to that of a gentleman's daughter's— it was through no fault of hers, but rather the situation's. I realise now that it was I who had erred exceedingly. For when you had first brought her into Longbourn as your new bride, it was my duty to have helped her understand our ways or (do pardon me for saying this) how to behave as a gentleman's wife, and I have failed to do my duties. It was also my duty to get to know her better. Since she had managed to gain your attentions, I should have strived better to understand what exactly it was about her that had first brought her to your attentions. Alas, I have also failed in that. I am now beginning to understand that I do not know Mrs Bennet at all, and by extension, you, my dear brother, as well. Surely if I had understood her better, I would not have belittled her nor insulted her?
"It still baffles me how your wife learnt to manage a house so well. For in spite of the fact, that I always managed to find faults with her, in one aspect, I could never find a single fault— keeping her house so neatly. I regret never complimenting her on that though.
"I sincerely hope, dear brother, that someday you and your wife will find it in your heart to forgive me. I write this letter with the offer of an olive branch and with the hopes that you will accept my invitation for you and your family to come visit our estate, Woodlandshire, in Nottinghamshire, during the summer months. I would love the opportunity to get to know your family better. And if there is one thing I most regret about this whole business, it is to have missed your lovely children growing up. Awaiting your answer most impatiently, I remain your dear sister,
"GERTRUDE CARRINGTON"
At first, there was only silence, as the four occupants of the room sat quietly, each mulling over the words of the letter in their mind. At length, Mr Bennet broke the silence, "What do you think of this missive? What do you think of your aunt?"
"Papa, it is all so sudden. What could have brought about such a change? I still remember the day, young as I might have been. It was very distressing to see you all from the window upstairs, as aunt finally entered the carriage with uncle— everyone looked furious," replied Lizzy.
"So you children were spying on us, and here I thought I had the most docile children anyone could ever have," Mr Bennet teased.
"It was all Lizzy, Papa. She convinced Jane, Julian and me to peek out the window. Jane, of course, being the angel that she is, was the only one to try to stop her, but of course, to no avail. I think at one point Lizzy even tried to convince Mrs Hill to go outside with some excuse or other to listen to your arguments and then report back," said Nathan.
Everyone laughed, while Lizzy blushed and she was about to retaliate, when Jane intervened, bringing attention back to the letter by saying, "Have you shown Mama the letter, Papa?"
"No dearest. That is why I called you here first. Do you think I should read her the letter? What if it unwittingly brings more pain to her?"
"Papa, I think it would please Mama to get such a letter. Despite the fact that she has never spoken of it before, I am sure the disagreement still brings back painful recollections to her. The letter would help alleviate her pain, I believe," Jane replied.
"Besides, the letter does not seem to have been sent in an ill humour or such. Our aunt seems genuine enough in her words. What do you think Papa?" said Elizabeth.
"I have always known my sister to be very honest and not one to engage in false pretences. Thus, I do believe the letter to have been sent in true penitence," replied their father. "I think you are right, Jane. I should read this letter to your mother, and let us see what she says."
Satisfied with his children's opinions, Mr Bennet then went with the letter and an apprehensive mien to find his dearest wife, as his children also went about their ways.
In the end, all of Mr Bennet's worries and concerns came to naught, as Jane turned out to be right. Even though, reading Mrs Bennet the letter had brought many tears to her eyes, she insisted they were tears of happiness, and it was evident from her face that she was indeed very happy to have received such a letter from her sister-in-law.
"Oh Thomas, there is so much work to do and so little time. But first of all, I must go find Jane and Lizzy, they shall be able to help me. We must have new dresses made for all the girls, and so much to pack," Mrs Bennet stood up in an agitated manner, and moved to leave the room.
"Esther dear, calm down. Of what do you speak? Why do you need to pack?"
"For our visit, of course. Oh Thomas, you do not mean to tell me you forgot about the invitation, that your sister so kindly sent."
"Do you mean to truly visit Woodlandshire? Do you forgive Gertrude for all that she said?"
"Thomas, how would we know if your sister is sincere about her penitence if we do not visit her and see her for herself?"
"True, true, my dear. Well then, if you are sure about this, then I shall go and reply to her at once accepting her invitation."
That evening, as they all sat down for dinner, Mr Bennet told everyone the happy news of their visit to Nottinghamshire. As could be expected, everyone was very surprised but very pleased. The other siblings who were not present in their father's study were also told of the letter and what it entailed.
"What a fine thing for our dear sisters! I cannot even begin to imagine the number of single men with large fortunes that might reside there in Nottinghamshire," piped Julian, as everyone laughed.
"Oh tease now, Julian. Tease your mother to your heart's content, and when you have your own daughters to marry off in the future, then we will see you tease me," Mrs Bennet said to her fourth child.
"I do not think it will be too long into the future, Mama. I'm sure there is a lady somewhere who has caught his eyes. Did you not see how secretive he is these days ever since he returned from Cambridge? I have also seen him looking forlornly out the windows many a day," teased Elizabeth.
"Shall I go to your room to search for secret letters, Julian?" cried Lydia.
Needless to say, the entire dinner was spent teasing Julian, and even Jane remarked something once or twice, with Julian becoming redder in the face by the minute.