Dearest Family,
We arrived at Dylan yesterday afternoon. I had quite forgotten just how beautiful it was. Our trip went well. Aunt says we are not likely to travel again for some time, other than a quick trip to Bath next month for my spring and summer wardrobe. I cannot wait! I wonder what fashions they have and how they compare to Meryton. Tell Mary to inform me of what sheet music she would like. Since her birthday is coming up in a couple of months, I have decided to see what I could find while we shop.
Well, I have nothing else new to share other than Aunt and I have decided on a new nickname for me. She feels Kitty is too childish. So, henceforth I shall be know as Kate Westfield. Doesn't it sound just grand! I pray you are all well.
You Daughter and Sister,
Kate
Dear Kate,
Jane and I quite like your new name. So much has changed, it seems only right. I believe it will suit you well. Mama is livid. She vows she will never address you are anything other than Kitty. She has taken it as a personal affront. Papa merely lifted an eyebrow and has made no comment. I shall not relay Lydia's comments. I will say that, like Mama, she shall not be calling you Kate anytime soon. Mary has simply accepted it. So, it appears that the household is a bit split. That is no matter though.
Mama has been at our father to allow us a Season in town, but he is adamantly against it. Our mother pushes that Jane is already 20 and should not wait much longer to wed. Papa reminded her that, should Jane find a match in Town, it is not likely that she will be settled nearby. That has caused Mama to rethink her plans. Lady Lucas has made mention of Mr. Weston's nephew, a Mr. Anders, coming to stay through the Spring. He is said to be looking to settle in the area and has a fortune of four thousand pounds a year. Mama is determined that 'one of her girls' is sure to 'catch his fancy'. I still maintain that only the deepest of affection will induce me into matrimony. With our new fortunes, I can cheerfully tell you that I would be happy to be the spinster aunt to any children you may have.
Father has decided to interview the governess Aunt Marianne suggested. All I know of her is that her name is Mrs. Antonia Blakely, she has been widowed five years and has three grandchildren in town. She is a mother of two daughters. Aunt told father she is sure she will be perfect for us. I cannot say how I feel at the idea of a governess. I see her as more for Lydia than myself, considering I am already grown. I dearly hope she will be able to curb Lydia's worst tendencies. She has stated that she will not submit to a governess and Mama supports her. Lydia has always been perfect in her eyes. Our only hope is that Papa keeps a firm stand.
Mary and Jane send their regards. Mary will have a letter off to you soon. I have not seen her so excited. She smiles a bit more. Sincere smiles. She began her lessons with Madame White two days ago. Enjoy your trip to Bath. I would like to remind you that Mary isn't the only one with a birthday coming up. I am fond of the color green.
Your Sister,
Lizzy
Dear Mary,
I hope the music is to your taste. Telling me to "get what ever is new" was not the least bit helpful. I trust your lessons are going well. You always did enjoy practicing hours on end. Having proper instruction must bring you much delight. I, personally, am tired of all my tutors. Aunt tells me that most of what I am learning, I would have picked up long ago had we been receiving a proper education as is due our station. I find it so dull. There is almost no time for anything fun, but I am daily reminded that this will not be forever. I know you would enjoy it. In this, I wish we could change places. My governess, Mrs. Whitmore, is not so bad as I originally thought. She was most quiet upon our first meeting, but as the weeks have passed, I have found her delightful company.
There are not many young ladies my age in the neighborhood. Most have gone to Town or spend their time in Bath for the Season. My new dresses have begun arriving this week. Since I know you will not particularly care, I will save my descriptions for Jane and Lizzy. I admit, I want to write a letter to Lydia about it, but my Aunt says that a lady does not purpose to constantly rub ones good fortune in the face of another. You must pick the most appropriate moments. Ha! I have found that Aunt Mari has a lot of cheek! Did you know you were named after her?
The gardens are beginning to come into bloom. It is so pretty. Lizzy would love to take a walk through them. I believe we may have the best gardeners. I have had a few moments that it all truly hits me. This is, now and forever, my home. I have never thought of what happens after one marries. I would have left Longbourn one day anyway. I was never meant to stay. I hope that you can come and visit us here at Dylan sometime. Aunt Mari shared Mama's letter with me and I can say that it will be a long while before our Aunt's anger runs its course enough for her to accept an invitation from Papa. I doubt Mama will ever issue one. I understand that Jane and Lizzy will be staying with our Aunt and Uncle Gardener at the end of Summer. I am excited that it will fall in line with Aunt Mari's plans to be in Town. I cannot wait to see Carter House. Aunt didn't let it out this Season so they may begin some renovations that Uncle Bertram had planned. I do not know why she has waited 10 years to do them. Our housekeeper, Mrs. Bates, says that Aunt has gotten some of her fire back since we have arrived.
I must leave you here. Mrs. Whitmore says it is time for my singing lessons. When next we meet, you shall play and I shall sing. What a pair we will make.
Kate
Dear Kate,
I am still getting used to addressing you as such. It is my hope that, by the time we next meet, it will roll off and not the other. Though we never got on before, I find that I miss you, truly. Mrs. Blakely has settled in nicely. I cannot believe the spectacle Lydia made of herself upon her arrival. I have never seen even Mama carry on so. She raised her voice to Papa, you know! I have never seen his face so red. Our mother didn't dare to intervene. Lydia is now to be in the house at all times. She can go no where but to church. He has also taken her allowance. She brought it upon herself. Lizzy and I have no pity for her. Jane hopes that Lydia learns quickly from her sins.
You will be happy to know that I am not reading Fordyce's Sermons so much. I have found Mrs. Blakely to be a very pious and respectable woman. She has been gracious enough to lend me a few of her books on proper behavior for young ladies. I am discovering that there is more than one way to live as a respectable young woman. Do not get your hopes up that I am completely changed, Sister. I am still much as I ever was, just not as severe.
I know that Lizzy cannot wait to tell you about Mr. Anders. I will only tell you that you will not have to fear losing any of your sisters in matrimony to him. With you gone, Lydia locked away, and Jane making plans to leave for our Aunt and Uncles, Mama has turned her eye on me. I can not think of a time I have ever felt truly terrified. I do not care for ribbons and bonnets. I do not want to marry right now. I fear that we will share nothing but strife in the coming months. Mama has forbidden any visits to Dylan. Papa hasn't said a word on it. I believe he is letting her have one thing since she has made no attempt to undermine his decisions about Lydia.
Reflection is a sign that you are maturing. In that, I am very proud of you. If you could, please write and tell me what subjects you are studying. I would not like to be remiss in my education.
Mary
Dear Kate,
It was so good to see you in Town. I have been able to tell by your letters that you are much changed, but seeing it in person was so enlightening. I have often felt guilt over not being a better sister to you. I am glad that you are happy and that your new life has opened up so many adventures for you. I can see that Kate suits you very well. I hardly saw any of Kitty, though you are still you.
Mama has been telling everyone we know about how genteel you have become, though she has not seen you herself. She fell in love with the bonnet and silk caps you sent with us. I believe she is pleased that you remembered her birthday. She asks that you send her some of the dress patterns that are so popular in Bath.
Lydia has calmed down much since we left for our Aunt and Uncle's. Mrs. Blakely is very firm with her, but I can see that it has been for the best. Mary is relieved to have us home. I do not think she enjoyed having all out mothers attention. Lizzy is celebrating Mr. Ander's departure from Hertfordshire. She did not enjoy his attentions at all, though I still think she was very wrong to compare him to Mr. Rogers pig in both size and manners.
Papa asked that I send his regards. He also thanks you for the books. He did not, in fact, have them already in his library. I miss you already. Take care of yourself and our Aunt.
Jane
Dear Lizzy,
Thank you for the fur trimmed gloves. They are so lovely and soft. I wore them to services yesterday. I do not believe I have seen finer. You have been keeping secrets, Sister. You must tell me where you got them so I can order more.
This Christmas was so strange. It was the first I have ever spent away from Longbourn. I can hardly believe it has already been a year. So much has changed. I do not regret any of it, though. I would not wish my life from before back. I look back and I feel appalled at how silly I was. Lydia has finally sent me a letter. She was not overly friendly, but she did not outright offend. I know you, Jane, and Mary say you think she is doing well, but I picked up on some bitterness. Lydia will hide her feelings and she is vindictive. I hate to think ill of her, she is my sister, but I know her best out of everyone. Do not trust she that has simply let everything go.
I hope Mama is pleased with the coat I sent her. It is all the rage in Society's highest circles. The color should not wash her out, either. I got to attend a ball hostess by some of Aunt Mari's closest friends. Since I am not out, I was not able to dance, but it was so nice to be able to be there. I will not be able to be officially out until after my birthday in May, so I will not be participating in the Season at all. I am kind of glad. Since I was only an observer at the ball, I was able to witness much of the scheming that some indulge in while trying to procure a husband. Lizzy! It is so disgusting! I don't think I will be able to trust a single person! They all try and ruin each others chances while raising their own. I witnessed more than one young man change directions to escape what would undoubtedly be a painful conversation. Is this truly the only way to meet and marry a gentleman?
I do not have so many tutors now. Aunt says that I will be considered a very accomplished young lady. I sing, draw, I know some history, and I am passable in Italian and French. My etiquette lessons are at an end. I truly feel like a different person. Do you think, perhaps, that Jane could convince Mama to let all of you come for a visit this Spring. I long to see you all. Aunt Mari has agreed, as long as you think Mama can behave. Maybe she could send you on your own. You will love the gardens in the Spring. There are so many walking paths on the estate. Mary would love the library and the piano forte. Lydia would enjoy the shopping. Jane would enjoy it simply because she doesn't find much she doesn't like. I love you all.
Kate
Dear Kate,
We have made it home safe. Mama has not yet stopped trying to get all the news out of us. Even poor Mary has been a victim of her constant questions. I must say that I miss Dylan. It was so peaceful and the gardens were the loveliest I have had the pleasure to walk. You are truly fortunate. I am happy to be home though. I think it will be a while before another home embeds itself so deeply in my heart as Longbourn has. I do not think I have ever seen Papa look so happy as when we descended the carriage. I have a feeling, when all his daughters have married and moved off, he will encourage Mama to travel or travel some himself.
I am sorry that we were not able to stay through to your birthday. Hope you enjoy the hunt you will have in finding all our gifts. It was our Aunts idea. Should you not find them all, she will help you. She showed us all the best hiding places. I am sorry that Lydia was in such a foul mood much of the time. I am beginning to see what you wrote about. I, for one, will be keeping a closer eye on her. Well, seeing as I have nothing else to report, I shall end my letter here. I dare say it will not be long before you hear more from me. I am sure that once Mama has gotten all she can out of us, she will load us down with all the news from the neighborhood.
Lizzy
Dear Jane,
I cannot believe that you helped to hide all of my presents. You of all people. I think Lizzy is finally rubbing off on you. I amuse myself by trying to figure out if that is a good thing or a bad thing. Thank you for paints. They were the very ones that I wanted.
Well, I am finally seventeen. Aunt promises that I may attend the local assemblies this Autumn. An old friend of hers has invited us to spend the summer in Ramsgate. I can hardly wait. Aunt says that we have already received some invitations to some private balls to be held. I will get to dance! I do so love to dance. Dancing with friends is not the same as dancing with a young man. Fear not that I will lose my head and act silly. Aunt Mari has stressed that I must be careful who I give attention to and how many times I dance with a gentleman. She has also made sure I understand that I am likely to be the prey of fortune hunters and dishonest men. Sometimes I feel as though my innocence is lost with all Aunt Mari has seen that I am taught, and then I learn something more.
I understand that Papa bids you all to stay home this summer. I hope it will be pleasurable and that Mama does not pressure you too often to wed. This is your life, Jane. Be happy.
Kate
So, Kate is going to Ramsgate. I wonder who she will meet? I am not sure what I am doing with Lydia just yet. I have two different plans. We shall see. Btw, I wrote this extremely late. Sorry is anything is written extremely awful.