Introducing Mrs. Collins
Dearest Charlotte,
I saw your mother in Meryton this week, and she told me (not in explicit terms, but it was understood) that you are no longer with child.
I am so sorry, my dear friend. I wish I were there to soothe you in whatever way I might.
I hope very much that I will see you soon and can be a better friend to you once you are close by (I do not offer this hope idly – read on).
Things have been very busy here – Jane is married already.
She and Bingley wed from the church at Longbourn as soon as the banns were read and are now travelling, visiting various members of his family – she was in Cheshire the last I heard, with plans for the Welsh borders: not my idea of post-marital delight, but she sounds, from her letters, exceedingly happy.
I have been rather putting off naming the day of my own wedding until I know for certain when she will return.
However, I will not wait longer; Mr Darcy and I are both keen to settle it, given the objections still standing.
So, Darcy has applied for a licence and wishes to marry at Pemberley, and having seen the chapel there, I am more than happy to oblige him.
And so I come to another purpose to my letter.
It is not to be a large party. Apart from immediate family, we have invited only you (and Mr Collins, naturally) and Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, who will be Darcy’s best man.
I am acutely aware that their aunt, Lady Catherine, is against the match, and I have no doubt she will put obstacles in the way of any scheme of mine.
Therefore, I do not know whether Colonel Fitzwilliam will feel he can attend, but I hope he may, out of loyalty to Darcy.
(I also suspect he rather likes an adventure?) That is, as long as his leg is up to it.
I hear reports that he is doing better in that regard.
If you should feel able to come – and I so hope you shall – it is in my power (ha! It is in Darcy’s power, but now that is one and the same) to send a carriage for you. Please write back and tell me that you may!
Oh, I feel I have not said the right thing to you, or enough. Forgive me. I do not know what is best to say, but when I see you, I trust I shall know how to comfort you.
Your loving friend,
Eliza