After breakfast Lizzy took coffee in the library while Darcy spoke to the servants to see if there were any business matters that needed his attention. Thankfully there was nothing which needed addressing urgently and he joined Lizzy in the library. She was writing in a book. She wrote only on the pages on the right and left the pages on the left blank.
“What are you doing, my love,” he said.
“I am making a journal of our time in Cornwall. We tried to remember things last night but everything was fragmented. I thought I would try to write down every place we visited and every person we met starting from the moment we crossed the Tamar river.”
“That’s an excellent idea, Lizzy. Can I help?”
“Of course. I’m trying to get it all in chronological order.”
“Very good. Why have you left the left sheets blank?”
“That’s where I am going to paste Mary’s drawings if she’ll let me. So, on the right there will be a description of Land’s End for example and on the left will be the drawings Mary made at Land’s End. It may not match fully but I will do my best.”
Darcy looked at his wife with love and admiration.
“I’m sure you will,” he said, “and I believe your best will be very good indeed.”
They spent a very pleasant morning piecing together with the aid of a map all the different places they had visited and all the various experiences they had experienced. After a few days the journal was complete and needed only the addition of Mary’s drawings.
A few weeks later a letter arrived. Darcy broke the red seal and read the contents.
“What a delightful surprise,” he said to Lizzy.
“Who is it from?”
“Mr Wickham.”
“Oh dear, he hasn’t run up more gambling debts, has he? Does he want money again?”
“Not that Mr Wickham,” said Darcy with a chuckle. “I mean John Wickham. John Wickham from Perranporth.”
“Oh, I see. How delightful. What does he say?”
“He says that he and Agnes are well. He says that George Wickham is well and still working down the tin mine and that his debts should be paid fairly soon. He says that Lydia is well and seems happy.”
“I’m glad Lydia is happy,” mused Lizzy aloud.
“I’m glad Wickham is still down the tin mine,” said Darcy.
“Does he say anything else?”
“Yes, actually. He says he will be travelling on business in December. He will be coming north to enquire about some new machinery for the mine. He says it could significantly increase his output of tin.”
“That’s good, said Lizzy. “I’m very pleased for him.”
“But, he says he will be spending some time in Derbyshire, not far from here.”
“That’s splendid. Perhaps he can come and visit us?”
“I have a better idea. He’s traveling in December. Perhaps, if he has the time, he could stay over Christmas. He could bring Agnes with him.”
“And Lydia perhaps?” said Lizzy timorously.
“Yes, I would be happy to invite your sister here. You understand that I cannot invite her husband. After what he tried to do with Georgianna?”
“I understand completely, darling. In any event John may keep the tin mine open on Christmas Day solely for his younger brother.”
“One can only hope,” said Darcy with a grin.
“And my other sisters?”
“I would be most glad to invite Jane and Charles,” said Darcy without hesitation. “And it would be excellent to see Mary’s drawings of Cornwall and see how they fit in your journal.”
“Our journal,” smiled Lizzy.
“Yes. Our journal. And Kitty too. They would all be welcome.”
“And mother and father?”
This time he hesitated.
“I like your father very much,” he said after a pause. “Pity your mother doesn’t work down John’s tin mine.”
“Oh, Fitzwilliam,” she chided gently.
“Of course your mother is welcome, Lizzy. Why I might even allow you to invite Mr Collins. I know you are fond of Charlotte.”
“You would be willing to have Mr Collins here at Christmas?”
“Yes. Provided he promises not to give a sermon on Christmas morning.”
Darcy and Lizzy's Cornish Adventure Page 10
