11. Chapter 11
The Crown Rose Inn, Eton
3 September, 1830
Dear Elizabeth,
Bennet is settling in nicely to his rooms and seems glad to be fagging for his cousin. Stafford is a little self-important, but he is not cruel, so I am not overly concerned. My cousin has promised me that her son will look after Bennet with all the care and attention of an elder brother, and of course Richard had to chime in that that was what he was worried about. Regardless, young Stafford assured me he would watch over Bennet and I am convinced enough of his fear of me that I believe him.
He has not yet forgotten how I made him muck the stalls for a fortnight when he was eleven and he got caught playing pranks on the tenants. Of course it does not hurt that he only comes up to my shoulders.
I have met with the head of Bennet’s house and so far I am confident that all will be well. The boy he is sharing his rooms with seems to have a kind bent. I am unsurprised as his father is a kind sort, which is why we arranged things as we did, but it is always nice to be assured of these things.
To be certain, I will stay another day, then stop in London as we had discussed before returning to Pemberley. Your father will arrive with Jack at the end of the week and we will get him outfitted properly. I think he will do well at university. I still think it is something of a miracle that he is so like your father after having lived the first thirteen years of his life with Wickham, but I am proud to call him my nephew.
I am including Bennet’s letter here. I still cannot believe our boy is old enough for Eton! Time has gone quickly, has it not?
I miss you greatly and I wish you were here with me now. You know I sleep poorly on my own. Perhaps we should have found a way to make the journey together, though how we could have both been away from the children so long I do not know.
Please know that I miss you dearly, in every conceivable way, and that I look forward to our reunion eagerly.
All my love,
FD
Pemberley, Derbyshire
8 September, 1830
My Dear Husband,
It is probably just as well I did not accompany you, for I am certain I would have been a blubbering mess. I will not disgrace myself by telling you how many times I have cried over the fact that my first child has gone off to school and I will not see him for many months, but suffice it to say it is an embarrassing number.
Elinor is already missing her brother, but it is not enough to stop her from attempting to ride his gelding. James sent word of what she was about and I hurried to the stables to stop her. She is tall for her age, but not nearly tall enough to manage such a beast!
Do you think we shall recognize Bennet when we see him for the winter holiday? He has been growing so rapidly of late. Why do boys go away at such a crucial age? Surely waiting another year or two would be much more sensible.
I found Matilda curled up in his bed yesterday. She misses him already, the poor dear. I have suggested her brothers come for a visit this autumn and that seemed to cheer her. Jane will arrive this afternoon with Jenny and Beatrice. That should go some way to mollifying her.
I have had a letter from Lydia. It was as nonsensical as all her letters are, but she seems to have a suitor. Captain Danvers made a bit of money at sea and if my sister is to be believed, he is enamored of her. When you see my father, could you please get the truth of the matter? I know it would be a relief to my parents were she to leave Longbourn, but at least she is where we may keep an eye on her.
My dear, I have at times thought you overly strict with the children and desired a lighter hand, but seeing what a lackadaisical parent has wrought in my sister makes me grateful for your determination. Lydia will be a thorn in my parents’ sides her entire life, and sadly, it is their own doing.
Lydia also requested more money for Jack, and I have already written to tell her no more will be forthcoming. You have been generous enough as it is, and it is ridiculous for her to ask for more. If she wished for him to have more pocket money, she may give it to him from her own allowance. She still has her settlement, though if my mother is to be believed, she spends every cent of it on hats and lace.
My mother has quite surprised me. I would have thought she would continue cosseting Lydia as she always has, but it would appear even she has her limits. Perhaps she does not like seeing a grown woman behave as an indulged child any more than the rest of us, or perhaps Lydia reminds her uncomfortably of herself. That is what Mary thinks. She sent me a long letter on the subject—three pages, front and back and tightly written, extolling the virtues of restraint and condemning Lydia’s self-indulgent behavior.
Perhaps after so many years of being the only two women in the house, Mary and my mother have shaped one another. Mary is less pedantic, and my mother is more thoughtful and less critical. We may never know for certain, but if my sister is to be believed, having Lydia’s boys in the house has been good for everyone. My mother dotes on them, Mary has something to occupy herself with, and my father finally has someone to teach all his gentlemanly knowledge to. It is all around a good thing, though that was difficult to see when it first began.
I am enclosing Elinor’s letter here. She wishes me to tell you that she misses you already and that she hopes you will not stay away overlong.
Safe travels, my love. You are missed at home and we eagerly await your return.
All my love,
Elizabeth
Darcy House, London
14 September, 1830
My Dear Elizabeth,
I wish you were with me here! Did I mention that in my last letter? If I did, it is still true. Everything is so much easier when you are with me.
Your father and Jack settled in comfortably. We will have to pry your father away from the library when it is time to leave. Jack is properly outfitted for his new school and your father will deliver him thither in three days’ time. I believe he is a good young man and a credit to your family. I am as shocked to be saying such a thing of Wickham’s progeny as you likely are to hear it, but Old Wickham was a good man, so perhaps it is his blood that influences young Jack.
As far as Lydia goes, she told you correctly. Mr. Bennet informed me that a naval captain has been sniffing around her (his words, not mine) for some time now. The man is nearing fifty and desirous of a wife. It might be a good situation for your sister. She would have her own home and be out of your parents’ way, and he has taken a house near Meryton; it would be an easy distance for everyone to visit. The boys would continue on at Longbourn. Your father insists on that, and I agree. I have told him that I will support his decision to keep the boys with him while Lydia begins her new life. She is young enough to have more children, and Jack said in an unguarded moment that he suspects she will have a new family and forget all about him and his brothers and sisters. It is disheartening to see such cynicism in a boy of seventeen, but I understand his feelings.
I assured him that he would always be family, and that he is welcome anytime at Pemberley should he need a respite. I have enjoyed having all the children to stay every summer. And not just because it precludes us from accepting invitations to house parties. I can see you in my mind’s eye, shaking your head and smirking. I truly enjoy the children for their own sake, not only the excuse they provide me.
Jack is excited about this new chapter in his life, and I am hopeful that he will be successful in whatever he should choose. Your father’s tutelage has done a great deal to sharpen his mind. I daresay he will be able to hold his own with the most studious lads at college.
I have met with the solicitor and my man of business, and tonight I will have dinner with my aunt and uncle DeWitt. I have not seen my father’s sister in nearly five years, I think. She wrote to say she is bursting to tell me news of her travels, and I will admit I am curious to hear about the places she has seen lately.
I was thinking, would you like to take a journey? I know we traveled a little before the children were born, but with the war, our destinations were limited. Should you like to travel further abroad? I should like to see the continent again with you by my side. We could take the children and Nanny. It would be a devil to plan, but it could be done if we wished to.
What say you?
I miss you, and I will return as soon as I may. Kiss the children for me.
Your husband,
FD
Pemberley, Derbyshire
19 September, 1830
My Dear Husband,
I love that idea! We could take the children, and you are right that it would require more planning and organization than were we to go alone, and it will certainly be a greater expense, but it would be an unforgettable experience.
I wish we had done that this year instead of sending Bennet to school! I hate to embark on such a journey without him. Could he take a break from school and join us? It is too late for that, is it not? He may be too old to enjoy a journey with his family. Perhaps we could ask him what he would like to do?
I am happy for Jack and I hope that this next chapter in his life will be all he hopes and more. He deserves it, the poor dear.
I have heard again from Lydia. Captain Danvers has proposed and she accepted. They will be wed the 15th of October. They will go to London for a short wedding tour, then she will remove to his house. From what Mary has said, I gather he is somewhat firm in his way of doing things, but perhaps that is what L needs. He cannot be too set in his ways or he would not be attracted to someone like Lydia. But perhaps I am mistaken.
I have told her I will not travel for the wedding. It is a long journey for one afternoon of events, and I will admit only to you that I am not desirous of seeing my youngest sister. She causes a great deal of grief for the entire family and were I to be standing in front of her, I might not be able to hold my tongue. And that would be inappropriate at a wedding. So I shall stay at Pemberley where I am happiest and await the return of my husband.
Travel safely, my dear.
All my love,
Elizabeth
Darcy House, London
22 September, 1830
Dear Elizabeth,
I will be on my way home tomorrow. I am having dinner with the Gardiners tonight and then I will be happy to see the back of London for a good long while.
I think that if we wish to make an extensive journey a possibility, it could be done. It would require planning, but it is possible. I doubt Bennet would wish to spend so much time with his family in an enclosed carriage, but the benefit of travel may be a strong draw.
If we were to embark in June, he could travel with us for the summer and return in time for school to begin while we continue on. We could send him home with one of my cousins if we could talk them into joining us, or Simmons could take him. He has been with me more than twenty years and I trust him with my life. We will find a way, my love.
I cannot wait to see you. In four nights’ time, I will be sleeping next to you. Though with the way I am missing you, I doubt there will be much sleeping.
Kiss the children for me and tell them I miss them.
All my love,
FD