Pemberley
31st July, 1811
Dear Elizabeth,
Our trip went smoothly, and Fitzwilliam decided that we had no obligation to stop at Rosings, where my aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, dwells in splendor along with her only child, my Cousin Anne. My aunt wants Fitzwilliam to marry Anne and is apt to go on at length about it, which I find uncomfortable. She is a very strong willed lady, my Aunt Catherine!
We are now settled at Pemberley, and I am very happy being here. We are fixed here for at least some weeks. My brother's closest friend, a Mr. Bingley, is seeking to lease an estate near London to practice being an estate owner. Mr. Bingley is a kind, wealthy gentleman whom Fitzwilliam met at his club in London. They are the best of friends… (Didn't they meet in school?)
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Longbourn
7th August, 1811
Dear Georgiana,
I am delighted to hear that you safely made the long journey to Pemberley. I am confident you will be happier in the country than in the City, which is hot and dusty. Thank you for asking about Aunt Gardiner and my little cousins. They are well enough, but my Uncle Gardiner has said that if any of them start fading, he will send them to Longbourn. It is moderately hot here as well but better than London.
You mentioned that Mr. Darcy has a friend who is looking for an estate to lease. I daresay it is unlikely that Netherfield Hall will suit, but I will at least mention it. It is a large estate situated to the east of Longbourn, and the owner has been seeking to lease it out, so far without success. He dwells in Bath as he is in poor health.
It is good to be home, yes, though I would not have missed my time in Ramsgate for anything. The ocean was marvelous, and the company even better. I realize that we may never meet again in person, but I consider you a most valuable friend, my dear Georgiana. I hope we will, at least, be long and faithful correspondents!
You also asked about my sisters. It seems odd that we did not speak of them while together in Ramsgate, but somehow my time there was focused on the immediate. I was enjoying the hours and days with my aunt and her family and with you and your brother.
At any rate, I am, as you know, the second of five sisters. My eldest sister is Jane; she is absolutely beautiful, with blonde hair and blue eyes. She looks like an angel. She is also the sweetest, kindest person in all of creation. I suppose that sounds like the mutterings of an adoring sibling, but in this case, it is also true!
My next younger sister is Mary. She is a very serious young lady, especially about the Christian faith, though she studies hard in a variety of other areas as well.
My last two sisters are Catherine, called Kitty by everyone, and Lydia. Lydia is the youngest and the tallest. I fear that my two younger sisters are rather silly. I pray that in time they will mature.
Regarding my music, I confess that as usual, I have found plenty of ways to fill my time which do not include hours and hours of practice. In my own defense, my sister Mary, who is far more diligent than I am, often occupies the music room during the day.
Jane and I have been spending some time assisting two of the Longbourn tenant families, both of whom have new infants in the house. I do adore babies, but it amazes me to observe these tenant wives caring for five or six young children without any assistance from servants. Neither Jane nor I knows how to cook, but we can at least wheedle baskets of food from our cook to carry to the houses, and we have arranged for some of our servant boys to chop wood and assist in other ways.
I see it is time for me to dress for dinner. Please give my regards to Mr. Darcy.
Write back soon, my dear friend.
With much love,
Elizabeth
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14th August
Pemberley
Dear Elizabeth,
After I received your letter, I asked my brother about whether I ought to be visiting the local tenant families at all. He was startled. I have always been very shy and previously felt unequal to the task of visiting those outside of our sphere. But he said that yes, if I felt ready to do so, it would be a good thing for me to visit some of the tenant families. We have called on three of the families thus far; they all seemed surprised and amazed at our arrival, but Fitzwilliam always puts them at ease talking about farming and crop rotation and the like. I have largely been silent as I do not know how to converse to these women who are, as you pointed out in your last letter, working very hard. At least I can play with the children. My time with your young Gardiner cousins showed me the joy of spending time with little ones. It is odd, really, that our family is so very small, and there are no near relations with children in the nursery…
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20th August, 1811
Darcy,
I toured Netherfield yesterday and it is perfect exactly what I need and only twenty a short distance from London. I will be meeting shortly with the solicitor handling the estate and moving in taking possession in mid September. My sister Caroline will act as my hostess, and my other sister Hurst and her husband will likely probably come to Hertfordshire as well.
If you are able to spend a few weeks with me, I would be greatly pleased. I know that I have no idea what I am doing am inexperienced and would welcome your guidance.
Miss Darcy would, of course, be most welcome as well.
Sincerely,
Charles Bingley
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30th August, 1811
Bingley,
I am pleased to hear that Netherfield Park suits you. Yes, Georgiana and I would enjoy visiting you in Hertfordshire. I know I have mentioned Miss Elizabeth Bennet before; her father is master of the estate of Longbourn, which I understand borders Netherfield. Georgiana and I met Miss Bennet while we were at Ramsgate. She is a charming young lady and a very good friend to my sister.
I will need to finish some business here, but perhaps Georgiana and I will arrive in late September?
Sincerely,
Fitzwilliam Darcy.
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7th September, 1811
Dear Elizabeth,
I apologize for not writing sooner, but I was waiting to hear word from my brother's close friend, Mr. Bingley, about Netherfield Hall. He did tour it in the last two weeks, and he liked it so much that he has taken the lease!
Moreover, Mr. Bingley has asked Fitzwilliam to join him at Netherfield to give him advice about running an estate, and I will be accompanying him! Oh Elizabeth, I am so happy and excited! We will see one another again soon!
My brother sends his regards.
Sincerely,
Georgiana Darcy
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8th September
Darcy,
I am glad that Georgiana is well, though I have no idea what your veiled references to the seashore mean. I will be returning to England soon on leave and hope to visit you then if you are at or near the metropolis.
You asked about whether I intend to sell out soon, and I believe the answer is yes. I have fought long and hard for king and country and wish to settle down with a good wife.
My mother, not surprisingly, mentions at least a half dozen heiresses in every one of her letters and doubtless will be matchmaking from the moment I step foot in her house. I do not think I am particularly fussy in my requirements for a wife; she needs to be an heiress, of course, and not a shrew. I am not certain how much more I can hope for beyond those requirements. While I am the son of an earl, I am also a second son, and my brother's wife birthed her third son a few weeks ago, so I am well out of the succession for the earldom at this point.
I do not envy you the responsibility of Pemberley, but I confess to coveting your wealth in that it gives you substantial freedom in finding a wife. My own habits of expense will not allow me to live a particularly frugal life, and thus, I must make do with an heiress who will have me, even if she has freckles and a squint!
Richard Fitzwilliam
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15th September, 1811
Dorothea,
You need not be jealous about Darcy's little maid; you know that my heart belongs to you, and I merely used the girl to determine Darcy's plans. He is intending to visit a friend of his named Bingley in Hertfordshire, and he will bring Georgiana with him.
I have discovered that a militia regiment will shortly be settling in the town of Meryton, the closest village to Bingley's estate. Most conveniently, a casual acquaintance of mine, Simon Denny, is a captain in the same regiment.
I am taking a commission in the regiment. That will make the entire matter even easier to manage, as it will give me standing in Meryton. Moreover, given how Darcy acts towards those he believes beneath him, I have no doubt that my person will be far more acceptable to the locals than he.
Please stay quietly in your current lodgings until I have made contact with Darcy. I have no doubt that having you waiting in the wings, so to speak, will hasten our negotiations. As Georgiana's governess, you can truthfully tell the world that Georgiana agreed to marry me, and Darcy will not chance that truth spreading throughout society.
Be patient, my dear Dorothea. We will soon be flush with money.
With all my love,
George Wickham
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22nd September
Dear Elizabeth,
We will be traveling south in less than two weeks. I can hardly wait! I do love Pemberley very much, but after my time with you and your family at Ramsgate, I find myself feeling lonely at times, even though my new companion, Mrs. Annesley, is wonderful company and a remarkably adept musician.
Fitzwilliam has been working very hard with estate business, and I know he also looks forward to Hertfordshire. He is excellent friends with Mr. Bingley, and has said, more than once, that he looks forward to renewing his acquaintance with you and meeting your family…
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29th September
Dear Georgiana,
I am not entirely certain you will receive this letter before you depart for Hertfordshire. I too am full of excitement about seeing you and your brother again. I will confess to a little worry about your introduction to my family. My nearest age sisters are both proper enough, but Kitty and Lydia can be extremely noisy at times. Well, I hope you will forgive them if they are overly spirited.
The tenant babies I mentioned in a previous letter continue to thrive, and the mothers seem to have recovered their strength.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this summer, but I am looking forward to autumn as well. The cooler days are perfect for long walks, and the changing of the colors, and the harvests, are all glorious.
I am so looking forward to seeing you again, dear friend!
With much love,
Elizabeth