Pemberley, 06 May 1832

„And Lydia wants to send the girls here all on their own?", Confusion washed over Mr. Darcys face. He had been in the library since early morning, buried in papers.

„No, Fitzwilliam. She wants to come with all the children, well at least thats what I understood from it. They want to catch a ride with the mail.", Mrs. Darcy had a look of uncertainty on her face, an emotion not often seen on the mistress of Pemberley.

„Can I read it?", Mr. Darcy smiled reassuringly at his wife, caressing her hand that was laying on his desk, one finger nervously tapping in a hectic rhythm.

„Of course you can. But you properly cannot make out her writing, it is so strained.", Mrs Darcy went calmer with her husbands touch. She handed him the ink strained paper, smiling sadly: „I just hope poor Amy is alright. Lydia does not say anything in particular, but she seems so distraught, so upset over all of it."

Mr. Darcy studied the letter carefully. After finishing, he read it again, then a third time. But before Mrs. Darcy could become impatient with him, he looked up at her and spoke: „Well there is just one thing we can do now, Darling. We have to send one of the carriages to Newcastle before Lydia goes trough with that peculiar plan of coming here all unaccompanied."

A bright smile lightened up Mrs. Darcys face: „You really will, Fitzwilliam? You realize it might mean as many as eleven guests?"

„Of course I will. You will not rest easy until Lydia is here, with all her eleven children or how many she wants to bring. And I am already beginning to worry as well.", Mr. Darcy pulled his wife on his lap: „But we will not have to worry much longer, I am sure of it. We have enough rooms to host them and the girls will be happy to have guests their age."

Mrs. Darcy threw her arms around his neck, settling comfortably against her husband.

—

Newcastle, 07 May 1832

Effies little brothers all flocked around the big carriage. It had come in the early morning, just three days after Mama had sent that stupid letter to her sister in Derbyshire. Two servants had come with it, bringing a letter that was now lying on the kitchen table unattended while Mama was upstairs, packing their trunks.

Mrs Darcy

Pemberley

Near Lambton

Derbyshire

Dear Lydia,

While you and your children are always welcome at Pemberley, I hope you will discard your current plan of coming by mail coach. It is certainly neither safe nor comfortable all the way from Newcastle to Derbyshire.

Instead we sent you the big carriage and two of our best men. They will get you safely to Pemberley.

Please take your time to pack your bags and do not rush yourself or the children. We will have enough time to talk when you are safely here with us.

Love,

Elizabeth

Effie had never really payed attention to Aunt Elizabeths writing. Now, as she scanned it franticly, she noticed how elegant it looked. Even more elegant than Gracies script when she wrote the invitations to their friday-parties.

What would happen if they went to Derbyshire? How would Jack ever find them when they were so far away. He would think they had forgotten him altogether, maybe he would even think they believed everyone over him. Just because Mama had gotten this upset about almost nothing.

„Come up here, Effie! Your sister needs help with the ironing.", As soon as she heard her mothers voice Effie knew she had to do something fast.

Grabbing the letter she ran out of the backdoor. It would do no good if her brothers saw her now, in all their silliness they would just delay her so long she would not reach Gracie before Mama came out.

Effie felt like running, but she knew it would not do her any good in the crowded streets. She loved Newcastle, loved its ugly streets and dark corners, its strange smells and crowded places. But today, she hated the crowds.

It was hot for may and she was sweating ten minutes into her walk. In one of the shop windows she saw her reflection and stopped dead in her tracks. She looked horrible. Her hair was deranged, tumbling loose around her face. She looked more like a schoolgirl coming home from playing outside than a young lady making a call.

Two corners around there was a hat shop. She walked there fast and promptly went into the shop. Repining her hair in one of the big mirrors she quickly nicked one of ribbon from the rummage counter. She would need something to feel a bit more pretty and confident while all this went down.

One of the many servants opened the door for Effie. He looked grimly at her and she briefly wondered if he had smiled if she had brought Amy with her. Or if Jack turned up again.

„Effie, what are you doing here? Has something happened with Amy? I thought your Mama would not let you come over anymore?", Gracie looked tired and almost slim. She had never been on the slender side, some would even call her a bit too heavy. Since the incident she must have lost almost 10 pounds.

„Mama does not know that I am here. I sneaked out of the backdoor and I do not have much time. She wrote to her sister, you know? To her sister all the way down in Derbyshire. And now we are going there. We are all going, even the little ones. Well except Papa and Ben, they are staying for work. But we are all going. Today already.", Effie knew that she was blabbering but she just did not know how to get that all out. And she was so close to tears, standing here inside the house where they had spent so many wonderful times all together.

Gracie led her to an armchair: „Calm down Effie Darling. Take this handkerchief, blow your nose and then tell me exactly what has happened."

„Well after Mama had heard about the party trough that blasted neighbor of yours she had such a meltdown. She and Papa were fighting all night. And then she wrote a letter to her rich sister in Derbyshire and now we are all going there."

„For how long? When will you be back?"

„I do not know. Maybe we will stay all summer.", Effie was crying now. She quickly brought the handkerchief to her eyes. It was never wise to let someone see you cry, not even Gracie who was probably the kindest person she knew.

„What if Jack returns? What shall I tell him? Where can he find you?"

The big hall clock gonged eleven. Mama said they would leave right around 12. Effie had to hurry: „That is why I am here. Take this letter, the address is written on it. Do not let him address the letter himself, incase Mama gets her hands on it. I have to go now, they will get anxious over my absence."