The morning after the ball at Meryton, the Lucases and the Bennets gathered in the main drawing room at Longbourn. As the families were so intimate with each other, although perhaps not intimate enough for Mrs Bennet, it was only natural that they should wish to discuss the events of the previous evening.
"You began the evening well, Charlotte," said Mrs Bennet with civil self-command to Miss Lucas. "You were Mr. Bingley's first choice."
"Yes; but he seemed to like his second better."
"Oh! you mean Jane, I suppose, because he danced with her twice. To be sure that did seem as if he admired her—indeed I rather believe he did—I heard something about it—but I hardly know what—something about Mr. Robinson."
"Perhaps you mean what I overheard between him and Mr. Robinson; did not I mention it to you? Mr. Robinson's asking him how he liked our Meryton assemblies, and whether he did not think there were a great many pretty women in the room, and which he thought the prettiest? and his answering immediately to the last question: 'Oh! The eldest Miss Bennet, beyond a doubt; there cannot be two opinions on that point.' "
"Upon my word! Well, that is very decided indeed—that does seem as if—but, however, it may all come to nothing, you know."
"I think Mr. Darcy would disagree with Mr. Bingley on that point, for I believe he preferred Eliza. He may have danced with many, but he smiled and laughed when he danced with her!" Maria Lucas contributed.
"Certainly not! - He asked me to dance only because we were left standing together when the others went to the floor with their partners. He could not simply leave me without a partner and refuse to dance with me; it would be impolite," said she.
"Yes, but he danced with you first, and he seemed to enjoy your dance the most!" Mrs. Bennet said, "You would do well to encourage such a man, Lizzy. He is very rich and has a great estate in Derbyshire."
"Mama," Elizabeth said exasperatedly, "you must not think that because a man finds my wit amusing that he wishes to marry me."
"You would do very well to take advantage of the fact that he finds your wit amusing, not many men will find your impertinence charming." Mrs. Bennet continued on about the ball, Mr. Bingley, and Mr. Darcy until there was nothing more that could be said, and then said it again.
"Are you truly very pleased with your engagement, George?" Mr. Darcy asked his friend, "If you are unhappy, we might find a substitute bridegroom with ease, or at least, with enough funds." Mr. Wickham had called the next day as Mr. Darcy had wished to talk more with his friend without all of Meryton listening.
"I am not pleased with how it came about, for certain. I would wish for a woman who wishes to marry me, not one who is forced to do so to save her reputation. However, she is pretty, intelligent, and kind. I like her very well, in the time that I have been able to spend with her. Her younger sisters are rather silly, but I hope they may improve as they get older. Overall, yes, I am pleased. I think I have every chance of happiness with Miss Mary Bennet."
"Then I will wish you joy. I am pleased with the change in you. I had not thought to see you give up strong drink, abbeys, and cards and especially for you to marry a gentlewoman."
"It turns out that strong drink and cards make for a light purse, and when I did not have your father paying my bills any longer, I realised this. As for abbeys, I gave up the houses of ill repute long ago. I have no desire to become diseased. It has been quite a long time, so I am quite looking forward to marriage. A woman to warm my bed every night, a smile in the morning, and no ill effects."
"You are such a romantic, George," Darcy said sardonically.
"You did not expect me to entirely change, did you?" Wickham laughed.
"When is the wedding to be?"
"Three weeks from Thursday. Enough time for the banns to be called. If you would, I would love for you and Georgie to be present."
"Of course! Goodness, you will hardly recognize Georgiana. She is quite tall now, taller than Miss Mary. Perhaps the height of Miss Elizabeth or a bit taller. I will send a note to Richard and Andy as well. I am unsure if they will attend, but they will wish you joy and be pleased to hear that you are well."
"Thank you, Fitz. I really do appreciate your support. I would love to see Georgie, and Richard and Andy if they wish to attend."
Netherfield, Hertfordshire
19th October
My dearest sister, Georgiana,
As you receive this letter, it will be fit for you to receive another as I have been most complacent in my correspondence with you. For that, I apologize. My visit with the Bingleys at Netherfield has been very pleasant and we are all well. I hope all is well in London and that you are finding Mrs. Annesley to be a pleasant companion. How I loathed my departure from you, my dear sister, despite the joy of seeing my friends. My evenings are no longer filled with the pleasant sounds of the pianoforte and my days are not filled with your laughter.
I have had additional distractions from your absence and sources of joy, more than what was expected. I am unsure if you will recall, as you were but ten the last time you were in company with him, but I have come across a friend who now lives in Meryton, Mr. Wickham. He is the son of old Mr. Wickham, our father's late steward. When Father died, I gave him his inheritance and the value of the living that Father had left him as he wished to study the law instead of taking orders. With those funds, he sought education and found employment with Mr. Phillips, who has an established law practice in Meryton.
Mr. Wickham is also engaged to be married. His betrothed is a delightful and intelligent young woman named Miss Mary Bennet. Miss Mary is the middle sister out of five sisters. The others are Miss Jane Bennet, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Miss Catherine Bennet (who prefers to be called Miss Kitty), and Miss Lydia Bennet. The eldest three are quite genteel and lovely, but the youngest two are lacking in some refinement. No doubt, with their sisters' good influence, they will mature in time.
Thus, we come to the primary purpose of this letter. Mr. Wickham always thought of you as a younger sister and would be delighted if you would attend his wedding. It will take place in the Meryton church three weeks hence. I am also writing to Richard and Andy, along with Aunt Elinor and Uncle Frank to invite them. If they wish to attend, you may travel with them and Mrs. Annesley may have some time to visit her family or do as she pleases, as her services would be redundant. I know you unite with me when I wish Mr. Wickham the greatest happiness in marriage. Please respond if you need assistance arranging transport if you and Mrs. Annesley are to travel alone, but Mr. and Mrs. Colley should be able to assist with the arrangements. Ensure that if you are to travel alone that at least two outriders accompany you, perhaps Lance and Leroy as they might also serve as help in the stables upon your arrival.
I will also relate a most diverting tale of one of Mr. Wickham's future sisters, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Netherfield, Bingley's estate, is in a great deal of disrepair. The tenant's houses need work, the land floods in some areas, and the woods are thick with underbrush. One afternoon, I was working with some of the footmen to clear the underbrush out of the woods. I was not dressed as I typically am due to the nature of the work. I was wearing rough trousers and a canvas shirt so as to not vex my valet.
We had been working for quite a long time when I hear a female voice telling me that I am working where I need not. I was rather confused, as I did not know who the woman was or why she was telling me this. She then goes on to tell me that I have crossed over onto Longbourn's land and shews me the boundary markers. She explained that she would not like me to "Expend my energies where my master would not benefit". She thought me one of the footmen.
I admit that I was quite cruel as I did not correct her. The next day, there was a ball and our party attended. This was when I became reacquainted with Mr. Wickham and met the Miss Bennets. I quite embarrassed Miss Elizabeth when she saw me and discovered that I am not a servant, but a guest of Mr. Bingley's. However, I am glad to know that Wickham is marrying into a family that is kind to all, including those beneath them in rank.
I also hope that you will make the acquaintance of the Bennets. You are so little in the company of young women. I worry occasionally that your only friends may be Mrs. Annesley, Mrs. Reynolds, and the maids at Darcy House. Whilst they are excellent women, I think the Miss Bennets would be more suitable friends for your age and station. There are also several other young ladies in the area that seemed pleasant and genteel. I recall there were several Miss Lucases, a Miss King, and a Miss Goulding, among others. You will be pleased with your brother, for I danced most of the evening. I did not have much of a choice, as I could not offend the future sisters of my dear friend, but dance I did.
As to your lessons, I am agreeable to your switching to oils rather than water-colours, as I feel you have advanced a great deal. However, as many of the pigments contain dangerous substances, Mr. Moir must always mix the paints before his arrival. I do believe you should listen to Madam Aubel and practice your French for at least an hour a day. Perhaps we should find a French maid to replace Deborah when she retires at the end of the year. Then you might practise your French with the new maid. You dance well already, so I agree that your dance lessons can be limited to learning the new dances with only occasional practice in the others. I cannot permit the waltz, no matter what your dance instructor may say. Perhaps when you are older, but I cannot yet imagine allowing such a thing.
I look forward to seeing you, my dear sister.
Your affectionate brother,
Fitzwilliam
He sanded and sealed the letter, placing it on the salver with his letters to his other relations and his steward. He did not wish to go downstairs at the moment as he could hear Miss Bingley's shrill, cruel laughter from the drawing-room. If it were not for her presence, he did not doubt that Georgiana would have travelled with him, to begin with.
It was comical, Darcy thought, that Miss Bingley did not see how her cruelty and insults towards people such as Mr. Wickham and the Bennets did much more to repel him than attract him. He could not imagine how such a woman would treat an ailing tenant who was late on their rent, or a starving poacher caught on an estate. For all the education and accomplishments that she claimed, she was not genteel in the least.