Gracechurch Street, Cheapside
Mr Edwin and Mrs Madeline Gardiner
Dear Uncle Gardiner,
All is well here in my present situation, but I wish to share news which is quite exciting.
I recently made the acquaintance of a family much like yours.
They are everything wonderful and remind me much of you and my aunt.
The gentleman is a wool broker and deals much in wools from the north country.
I have become a particular friend of their daughter, Margaret, who is near Kitty’s age, though as unlike Lydia or Kitty as it is possible to be while yet belonging to the female sex. She has no siblings and has taken quite a fancy to the idea of having a sister by proxy for a time.
The family has generously offered to take me on a journey with them which starts in a week and continues for six weeks through several northern counties.
It may be like the Tour of the Lakes we have occasionally discussed.
They may even have business near Lambton, which I shall visit should I have the opportunity.
I cannot possibly impose upon you for permission for such a change to my travel plans, so I have written to Papa directly.
You need not trouble yourself nor worry for me, but I would beg you to share this letter with Jane, along with my regrets that I shall not see her for a while longer.
Presuming no objections from Papa, I shall not return to Gracechurch Street, but instead will travel north with the family, and return directly to Longbourn.
I look forward to the journey, and though I shall dearly miss your family and Jane’s company, I feel an obligation to Miss Margaret to share the trip. She is a young lady in need of a friend at this time, and it would be rude to refuse such a generous offer.
My apologies for the short notice and pray give all my love to Jane and my nieces, along with my promises that I shall write in more detail soon.
Elizabeth