Chapter Eighty-Seven
Letters were received at least daily! It was well that all parties involved had the coin to pay the postage and purchase paper and ink.
Bennet,
Miss Bennet is to marry my cousin, Richard Fitzwilliam, on the ninth of March at St. James Church in London. The wedding breakfast, which you so kindly allowed me to arrange, will be hosted by my aunt, the Countess of Matlock.
While it would be a privilege to host your entire family here at Darcy House, the townhouse is not as well-supplied with guestroom as Pemberley. So you and Mrs. Bennet are to stay at Bingley House, while Georgiana would consider it a great favour to have Lydia and Kitty here with us.
Darcy
***
Oh, Mama!
I am to marry Colonel Fitzwilliam! I am the happiest girl in all the world! You and Papa and Lydia and Kitty are all to come to the wedding! And the breakfast will be at Matlock House!
Is it not like a fairy tale?!
Your deliriously happy daughter,
Mary
***
Catherine,
As I wrote earlier, Richard is to marry the new Mrs. Darcy’s sister on the ninth of March. I have just learnt that your rector’s wife is Mrs. Darcy’s best friend and, as a result of this nonsensical feud you have going on with Darcy, they fear they shall never see one another again.
I insist that you allow Mrs. Collins to attend Richard’s wedding. For that matter, send Anne as well. It would do her good to get away from that mausoleum of yours. Mrs. Collins may stay at Darcy House; I am certain they can squeeze in one more. Anne will stay with me.
I know you will fight me on this, so I will just add one thing. If you do not comply, I will tell everyone what your precious Sir Lewis de Bourgh did on your wedding day.
Ellen
***
Dear Lydia,
I would never forget your birthday! Your gift is here at Darcy House, waiting for you. I expect you will wish to wear it to Mary’s wedding.
Lizzy