Dear William,
I was delighted to receive your most recent letter. Mr. Bingley’s estate and the surrounding neighborhood sound lovely. I wish it were possible to join you there and see it for myself.
I was also interested to learn about your new acquaintances. I believe it is the first time you have ever written to me about a young lady. Miss Elizabeth Bennet sounds delightful and just the sort of person I wish I had for a friend. Do you think she would like me? Do you think she might be willing to correspond with me?
Some of your comments even made me laugh out loud. Life has offered little reason for laughter over the last few months, and I forgot how much lighter I feel when I laugh. I like the feeling and will look for the whimsical in my daily life.
With only your letter by which to judge, I believe you are enjoying your trip more than usual. I hope to hear more of your new friends and adventures in Hertfordshire in your next letter. Please write soon.
Love,
Georgie
Darcy felt his heart lighten to learn that his words had caused such a reaction in his dear sister. Though I could not experience her laughter first-hand, I am delighted to have inspired it in her, Darcy thought with a satisfied smile. He pulled a sheet of paper out of his writing desk and began his letter.
Netherfield Park
Hertfordshire
October 30, 1811
Dearest Georgie,
How delighted I am to learn that my letter brought you laughter. I only wish I could have heard the delightful sound for myself. I am enclosing several packages with this letter. I numbered them, so please open them in order. I shall tell you about each of the Bennet sisters, as they helped me select these for you.
Open package one. The two youngest Bennet sisters, Miss Kitty and Miss Lydia, chose these items for you. These two sisters are an interesting study. The elder, Miss Catherine (called Kitty by her family), follows her younger sister, Miss Lydia, in all her adventures. They are a bit excitable, but not truly bad girls. Miss Lydia, who is the youngest, is also a bit spoiled, but she behaved prettily with only minor correction. I feel a little sorry for the girls, as they are often called ‘the silliest girls in England’ by their eccentric father. Before making their selections, they asked about your appearance and favorite color. Miss Lydia was thoughtful in her choice, selecting the blue/green ribbon. I asked Miss Kitty to pick out one in her favorite color, and the rose was her choice.
Unwrap the package marked number two. Miss Mary Bennet chose the sheet music for you. She is the middle daughter and dedicated to improving herself. To her disadvantage, Miss Mary’s choice of sermons as reading material makes for less-than-stimulating conversation. She also loves to play the pianoforte but never received the benefit of a master. Miss Mary’s technique is excellent, but it lacks the emotion that makes your music so enjoyable. I believe she could use a friend. Being in the middle, she is not part of the tight friendships of either her older or younger sisters.
Open gift three. This selection was the choice of Miss Jane Bennet, the eldest sister. She asked much about your clothing preferences and chose this because it would complement much of your wardrobe. A widow in the nearby village of Meryton made the shawl. Meryton is much like Lambton, though somewhat smaller.
Now you may open the last parcel. In my previous letter, I spoke to you much about Miss Elizabeth. With her vast experience with sisters, I put your situation to her without naming you. Please do not be anxious; Miss Elizabeth was quite angry with the gentleman in my story. She quickly recognized that he was the villain in taking advantage of someone so much younger. In fact, she worries for her youngest sisters, as a militia unit will soon be wintering in Meryton. Miss Elizabeth advised that in a situation in which a young woman lacks a close confidante with whom to share her experiences, a journal can serve as that friend. It gives you a safe place for expressing yourself without worry that anyone will judge you for your feelings.
It is my sincere hope that you are improving every day. I love you, dear sister, and wish you the best. I will be home in time to join you for Christmas.
Love,
William
A
Short Stay at Netherfield
Caroline Bingley grew more frustrated with each passing day. No matter how often she impressed upon her brother and Mr. Darcy about the poor behavior of Mrs. Bennet and her three youngest daughters, nothing seemed to deter the gentleman from their interest in the eldest two Bennet sisters. Realizing that she needed more information with which to discredit the family, Caroline invited Miss Jane Bennet to tea. Unfortunately for Jane, Mrs. Bennet insisted that she ride to Netherfield when it threatened to rain. Jane arrived soaked and felt increasingly unwell.
As a consequence, Jane answered Miss Bingley’s rather impertinent questions with her usual honesty. She did not recognize Miss Bingley’s insulting demeanor and haughty tone. Just as the ladies were hinting to their guest that the time of departure was upon them, Jane fainted. With a seriously displeased tone, Miss Bingley called for the housekeeper and a footman to take Miss Bennet to one of the guest rooms.
Learning what was wanted, the housekeeper called for a maid and rushed to prepare a bedchamber. The footman had just begun to mount the stairs when the gentlemen returned home from a dinner with the officers from the soon-to-arrive militia. The gentlemen had left early because of the steadily increasing rain.
“What is the matter with Miss Bennet?” Bingley cried as he noticed the footman holding, in his arms, the woman whom Bingley was rapidly coming to love. He rushed forward and said to the footman, “James, allow me to carry her.”
“Charles, desist immediately. If this woman were to awaken, she could claim a compromise.”
“Now is not the time, Caroline. I will take Miss Bennet to the blue guestroom. You should call for Mr. Jones, the apothecary, to come and check on her.” Turning away, Bingley mounted the stairs and turned to the right, towards the guest wing. When he reached the blue room, the fire was burning brightly in the grate and the bed was turned down. Upon depositing Miss Bennet on the bed, Bingley wished to linger, but the housekeeper requested that he remove himself so they could attend to the young lady.
Caroline watched her brother’s retreating back as she muttered under her breath about “this wretched place.” At least that was what it sounded like to Darcy. Once Miss Bingley had moved to the writing desk in the drawing room to compose a note to the apothecary, Darcy turned to the butler, Dawson. “Would you ask my coachman, Mr. Henry, to join me in Mr. Bingley’s study?”
“Certainly, sir.”
Darcy continued down the hall to Bingley’s study. He seated himself behind the desk. At a knock on the door, he called, “Come.”
Dawson appeared in the doorway. “Mr. Henry to see you, sir.”
“Thank you, Dawson.”
As the butler bowed out and closed the door, the coachman spoke. “You wished to see me, Mr. Darcy.”
“Yes, I need your expert opinion on the state of the roads. Would it be possible for my coach to make it to Longbourn and back in the next hour or two, or will the roads be impassable?”
The man thought for a moment, then said, “What exactly is it you need me to do, sir?”
“Miss Bennet took ill while having tea with the ladies earlier today. I am sure she would be greatly comforted if her sister, Miss Elizabeth, stayed with and cared for her during her illness. I want to send you with a note and have you wait while Miss Elizabeth packs for herself and her sister. Then you will return to Netherfield with Miss Elizabeth and their trunks.”
Mr. Henry nodded. “If would be better if a footman went ahead of me to alert the young lady and allow her to do the packing, as we should make the return journey without delay, sir. The rain is tapering off, but we cannot be sure that it will not pick up again.”
“That is an excellent suggestion. If you wait, I will write the note. You can ask one of our men to take it.”
“Yes
, sir.”
As Darcy pulled the writing supplies from the desk, the coachman stood nearby, nervously turning his cap in his hand.
Netherfield Park
Meryton
3 November 1811
Dear Miss Elizabeth,
Please pardon me for writing you directly, but I thought you would wish to know that Miss Bennet took ill after tea and fainted. The apothecary should arrive shortly to examine her.
I believe that Miss Bennet would prefer your care to that of either Miss Bingley or Mrs. Hurst. Consequently, my coach and driver will arrive within the next hour to bring you to Netherfield Park. I hope that will allow you sufficient time to pack belongings for the both of you.
Please try not to worry. By the time you arrive, we should know your sister’s condition.
Sincerely,
Fitzwilliam Darcy
After sanding and sealing the note, Darcy handed it to Mr. Henry. “The message informs Miss Elizabeth that you will arrive in an hour. She should be ready to leave upon your arrival. Please drive carefully, Mr. Henry, to ensure that you both return here safely.”
“Of course, Mr. Darcy. I shall take good care of the young lady.”
When he completed his business, Mr. Darcy moved to rejoin his hosts in the parlor. As he approached the door, he became aware of Miss Bingley’s raised voice.
“Charles, what were you thinking to carry Miss Bennet like that? She is just the type of scheming woman to claim a compromise.”
“Do not be ridiculous, Caroline. Miss Bennet is not the type of woman to act in such a manner. Besides, I rather think I would very much like being married to Miss Bennet. She is the loveliest and kindest woman I have ever met.
Miss Bingley paled at her brother’s words. “Charles, I forbid you to waste yourself on a young woman of no fortune and consequence. For instance, I learned today over tea that the Bennets’ uncle is in trade and lives in Cheapside. We have worked so hard to rise above our roots in trade. If you married Miss Bennet, you would be dragging us down, not helping to raise us in society, as father wished. I will not allow you to ruin my chances of marrying well by making such a mistake. I demand that you stop this ridiculous infatuation immediately.” Caroline stamped her foot for emphasis.
Darcy cleared his throat and approached the entry. Though he directed his gaze at Bingley, he could not fail to observe the anger and irritation on his hostess’s face. “Bingley, I hope you will not mind, but I sent my carriage and a note to bring Miss Elizabeth here. I am sure Miss Bennet will be more comfortable with her sister to care for her. I also knew that Miss Elizabeth would worry a great deal when Miss Bennet did not return home tonight.”
“That is an excellent idea, Darcy. Thank you for thinking of it. I will let Mrs. Dawson know to prepare another guest room.” Bingley made his way from the room while Darcy sat and took up his book. The swish, swish, swish of Miss Bingley’s skirts as she paced was the only sound in the room.
Finally, she came to a halt in front of his chair. “Mr. Darcy, you must help me to convince Charles to end this childish infatuation and return to town. He could make a much better match with any of the young ladies he would meet in London.”
“I am sorry to disappoint you, Miss Bingley, but I will not interfere with your brother’s personal affairs. I am happy to help him learn to manage an estate, but that is as far as my influence will extend.”
“How can you not realize the risk that such a young woman poses to my brother? Are you not his dearest friend? Why would you not wish to save him from himself?”
“Miss Bingley, your brother is an adult. He is better able to judge the state of his heart than either you or I. Charles knows best what will make him happy.”
Caroline realized she would not change his mind at present, but refused to concede the issue. “Since you have invited Miss Eliza Bennet to join her sister here, I must caution you, Mr. Darcy, to take care of yourself. There is not a doubt in my mind that this chit is a scheming fortune hunter.”
“Miss Bingley, I must ask you to keep your opinions to yourself. Both Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth are gentlewomen and their behavior is always above reproach. Miss Elizabeth has become a good friend during our stay here in Hertfordshire. I do not wish to hear your reproaches of her again.”
Caroline ground her teeth in frustration and rushed from the room. Darcy breathed a sigh of relief at her departure.
Miss Lizzy, there is a message for you,” said Mrs. Hill as she entered the parlor.
Elizabeth looked up, surprise in her expression, as she reached to take the message from the housekeeper. She looked at the handwriting but did not recognize it other than to note its decided masculinity. Elizabeth broke the seal and read the note before tucking it into her pocket.
“Who was it from, Lizzy? What does it say?”
“Jane is so unwell, she fainted. They sent for Mr. Jones. I am invited to stay and care for Jane until she recovers. I need to hurry and pack, for a coach will be here shortly to take me to Netherfield.”
After calling for their maid, Susie, to begin the packing, Elizabeth knocked on the door of her father’s study.
“Come.”
“Papa,” said Elizabeth as she entered the room. “Jane got soaked on her ride to Netherfield and became ill enough to faint. I am invited to come and stay for the duration of her illness. I will be leaving in just over half an hour. Is there a message you wish me to give to Jane?”
The stern look his second daughter gave him caused Mr. Bennet to feel regret for not having insisted that Jane take the carriage. “Please tell Jane that I hope she recovers quickly. I also understand your hidden message. I should have been firmer with your mother. I will speak with her after you leave, and I promise to speak up should she try such a stunt again in the future. Be well, my Lizzy, and come home soon. With both you and Jane absent, there will not be a word of sense spoken while you are gone.”
“Perhaps you should spend some time with Mary and suggest something new for her to read, as well as require her to discuss it with you. I believe all of your daughters have the potential to be like Jane and me, but they need your attention just as we had.”
Elizabeth kissed her father’s cheek and rushed upstairs to finish the packing so that she would not keep Mr. Darcy’s coachman waiting. By the time the carriage arrived in front of Longbourn, Elizabeth was waiting in the hallway with two small trunks containing clothes for Jane and herself.
As she tied the ribbons on her bonnet, Elizabeth paused in the parlor door to say, “Good-bye, Mama, Mary, Kitty, Lydia.”
“Do not hurry back,” Mrs. Bennet called after her. “You must allow time for Mr. Bingley to propose to Jane. I do not want you back until Jane is engaged.”
Elizabeth did not answer; she just rolled her eyes at Mrs. Hill as the housekeeper helped with her cloak.
Two footmen knocked on the front door. The first one assisted Elizabeth into the carriage, then returned to help load the trunks. When everything was in place, they jumped on the back and the carriage took off down the drive.
Elizabeth took a moment to wonder why it was Mr. Darcy who had sent the message to her. Such a responsibility usually fell to the hostess of a home. Elizabeth chuckled to realize how unlikely it was that Miss Bingley would issue her an invitation to stay at Netherfield. With that in mind, Elizabeth recognized the kindness of Mr. Darcy. He must be coming to know her well to realize how much Elizabeth would desire to care for her sister.
When she arrived at Netherfield, Mr. Darcy was waiting to receive her. “Miss Elizabeth, I hope you had enough time before the carriage arrived.”
“Yes, Mr. Darcy. Your plans were perfect. I am grateful for your consideration and invitation. I hope Mr. Bingley does not mind my arrival.
“I am happy to answer your question, but as Mr. Jones is still with Miss Bennet, you may wish to go up and join them.”
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I would indeed like to jo
in them.”
“Allow me to show you the way.”
Darcy led Elizabeth up the stairs and into the guest wing. He paused before the door of Miss Bennet’s chamber. “I will wait here in case you need anything,” offered Darcy.
“That is most kind of you, sir, but I doubt that will be necessary. I am sure there is a servant to fetch anything that may be needed.”
“If you are sure, I shall wait downstairs. However, please do not hesitate to call on me if you should need anything.”
“Thank you for your kind offer. I will avail myself of it should it become necessary.” Elizabeth gave him a warm smile before slipping into Jane’s room.
Darcy joined his friend in the study as they waited for the apothecary’s report.
“Do you think she will be well?” Bingley asked, worry in his voice.
Darcy took the chair next to his before the fire. He reached for the decanter on the table between the chairs, then held it out to his friend. At Bingley’s nod, Darcy topped off his glass before pouring himself a small portion of brandy.
“She most likely took a chill from getting wet. I am sure that with some rest and nourishment, she will be well. You can be confident that Miss Elizabeth will take good care of her dearest sister.”
“Of course, you are correct. We must be sure that Miss Elizabeth has whatever she needs to care for Miss Bennet.”
Darcy nodded his head in agreement. “I already informed Miss Elizabeth to let me know of anything she may need.”
The gentlemen sipped quietly, each lost in his thoughts. They were interrupted by a knock at the door. “Mr. Jones to see you, sir.”
The gentlemen rose and greeted the apothecary. “How is Miss Bennet, sir?” asked an anxious Bingley.
“Miss Bennet suffers from a severe cold. I left some powders to help her sleep. I am sure that with rest and nourishment, she will make a complete recovery. While running a fever, she should take only broth and tea. However, when her fever breaks. She can eat whatever she wishes.”
A Turn in Their Dance Page 6
