Chapter 17 #2
I hope that you will be in London during the Season so that we will be able to see one another regularly. I have enquired as to when we will travel south, and my brother said it will likely be in early April.
Sincerely,
Georgiana
***
14th February, 1813
Dear Mr. Bennet,
I would guess, sir, that this letter finds you somewhat bemused, as we do not know one another well. I will not waste your time. The truth is that I find myself very much in love with your daughter, Elizabeth Bennet, and I hope to win her hand in marriage.
I did not express my admiration for your daughter when Miss Bennet was living at Pemberley for two reasons.
One was that I did not wish to make her uncomfortable while residing in my home.
The other was that I was still evaluating my own feelings.
I know enough about Miss Bennet to believe – to be confident – that she does not wish for a marriage based on convenience or wealth.
These last weeks at Pemberley have been peculiar for me. It has long been my home, but with Miss Bennet no longer in residence, it seems strangely silent and lonely. My sister feels the same way.
For these reasons, I am requesting your blessing to court your daughter, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, if, of course, she is interested in such a courtship.
I have been informed from other sources that you would never force your daughter to marry against her will. I honor you for that, even as I hope that I will be able to win your daughter’s affections.
Sincerely,
Fitzwilliam Darcy
***
Pemberley
18th February, 1813
Bingley,
I would most definitely not pour much money into updating the curtains and furniture at Greymond.
Based on the information in your latest letter, the estate requires a great deal of attention to bring it into the 19th century.
I am always astonished that the owner of an estate could be so foolish and careless as to disregard cottages and drainage and fencing and the like, but many a man is, in fact, an idiot.
Also, given that you will not be entertaining much, it makes more sense to focus on essential matters like replacing roofs and dealing with flooded fields.
I am proud of you, Bingley. Since the day we first met, I have admired your ductility of temper and charm. But yes, it is required by a master of an estate to work diligently to care for his people and his land. You are maturing as a man, and this is to your great credit.
I welcome any questions you have regarding the estate. Please do not hold back, as my fondest wish is to see you succeed.
Sincerely,
Fitzwilliam Darcy
***
21st February, 1813
Mr. Darcy,
I was astonished by your letter to my father but pleased as well.
When I journeyed to Pemberley some months ago, I confess that I did not particularly like you. We had a difficult beginning to our acquaintance, and then there was the matter of Jane and Mr. Bingley. My views were also poisoned by the smooth talking of that wretch, Mr. George Wickham.
But in the weeks that I spent at Pemberley, I saw another side of you, and what I saw I liked very much.
You are hardworking, an excellent brother, an honorable and diligent master, and you have actually read many of the books in your truly incredible library.
In fact, your library alone is nearly enough to tempt me to marry.
.. but I should not jest in this matter.
Having said all of that, I am not ready to accept an offer of marriage from you, but I do welcome a courtship.
When I stepped into the carriage to return home to Longbourn, it was with genuine admiration for your character and person, but I did not even consider a possible marriage between us because my expectation was that you would never wed the daughter of a country gentleman, whose maternal grandfather was a solicitor.
That brings me to a most important point.
You know of my connections. More than that, you know of the behavior of my mother and younger sisters.
I am well aware that my mother is noisy and sometimes vulgar, and my younger sisters foolish.
Indeed, I can only believe that the Lord on High has shown his mercy by keeping my youngest sister safe, as Lydia spent several months last year in Brighton with Colonel Forster’s wife, and she returned home as silly as always but thankfully devoid of scandal.
Before I even consider a possible match between you and me, I need to know your thoughts about my family. They have their failings, of course, but I love them and will never abandon them or cut them out of my life.
My uncle Gardiner is a man of trade who lives in Cheapside in London. He is also intelligent, godly, sensible, and wise. I would never wed a man who looks down on the Gardiners because of their position in society.
Let me be clear that I cannot blame you if you shrink from such relationships.
I am well aware your family is a distinguished one, with close ties to the nobility, and you could have your pick of society misses.
I know you to be a grave man who does not make decisions lightly, and I beg you to consider this matter seriously.
As you said in your letter to my father, I am not the sort of woman who will marry based on wealth and status. I wish for a marriage of mutual respect between my husband and myself, along with genuine affection. I look forward to your thoughts on these matters.
For the safety of my reputation and yours, I suggest that we send letters to one another within letters between Miss Darcy and myself. I do not wish to be forced into marriage, and neither do you.
God bless,
Elizabeth Bennet