Prologue #2
No, Papa, I have no interest in him because I am far too young. I believe he is 22 or 23 years of age.
He was with us for dinner the previous day, and he was telling my aunt and uncle about where he came from and his family.
Until he went to Oxford, he lived with his family in the town of Meryton in Hertfordshire.
His father was (until he and his wife were taken in an influenza outbreak a year past) the solicitor in the town. He has an older and a younger sister.
He was saying that his father had hoped he would read the law and take the practice from him in the town, but he said the law is not for him, so his brother-in-law, a Mr Phillips who is married to his older sister, will take over the practice.
Mr Gardiner mentioned that his younger sister is married to a landed gentleman whose estate is but a mile from Meryton.
I would not say this, except I am repeating his words, that the union between his younger sister and her husband is a mésalliance.
He is very studious and intelligent, while his sister is anything but.
(I will not repeat the way he described her.) He has two nieces, both from the younger sister (the older has no children), one who is 4 and the other was 1 in March of this year.
Papa, he says that his younger sister blames her second daughter, Lizzy I think he called her, for being born a daughter. Have you not taught that it is only God who determines the sex of a babe, not the child itself? His younger sister does not sound like a nice person.
I miss and love you both,
Maddie
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
17 March 1796
21 Gracechurch Street
London
Papa,
Please convey my deepest sympathies and condolences to Mr Darcy and his son.
I was so very sad to receive your letter telling me that Lady Anne Darcy went to her final reward on the 14th day of this month, but 10 days after she delivered a daughter.
Poor little Georgiana Elaine Darcy. She will never know the love of a mother.
At least I had Mama for 12 years, and since then Aunt Delores has been acting as one to me.
I know that little Miss Darcy’s second name is for her aunt, the Countess of Matlock.
I pray that lady will fill the role for Miss Darcy that Aunt Delores has for me.
Based on what Adam has told me of the other aunt; I pray just as hard that the new Darcy is kept away from Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Yes, Papa, I know that is not generous of me, but it is true.
Although I only met her a few times when Mama used to meet with her, I remember Lady Anne as a very kind and welcoming lady who never made Mama or me feel like she was condescending to us.
I am sure that such a lady was led into heaven by St Peter himself and is now enjoying life everlasting in the company of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
When the occasion is not so sombre, I will write a longer letter.
In sorrow,
Maddie
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
26 August 1798
21 Gracechurch Street
London
Papa,
I am in love! Edward, as he has asked me to call him, asked me for a courtship, which I granted with alacrity!
It was only recently, as I approached my 19th birthday, that I realised I was developing tender feelings for him. He was still Mr Gardiner to me then. It is only since we have been courting that I have had the privilege of calling him Edward.
There is no worry on my side that you will not bestow your blessing, even though you ceded your permission to approve a match for me to Uncle Peter, and he has consented.
Having you add your blessing will make my happiness complete.
You know what a good man he is, as you met him in the autumn of ‘95.
He told me that from after I turned 16, he began to see me as more than his mentor’s niece.
However, he waited until I was 18, well on my way to being 19, before he approached me.
He did not want to pressure me before I was ready.
I was, Papa! I was more than prepared to hear him speak.
I will admit to you that had he asked for my hand and not a courtship, my response would have been a resounding YES!
I believe that Edward is my match in every way. He is the kindest and gentlest man I know. Anyone who thinks his demeanour hides a man who can easily be worked on is a fool; he has a spine of steel.
When we do marry (I am sure we will unless you object), I am looking forward to meeting his nieces—well, I suppose they will be my nieces then as well.
His older sister has still not been blessed with children.
However, the youngest has been prolific, but with only daughters.
(There is an entail to heirs male on the Bennet estate which is called Longbourn.) The eldest, Jane, is 10 now; Lizzy is 7, Mary was 5 on the 19th of this month, Catherine (you remember I told you about her) is 3, and the youngest, Lydia, is not 2 yet.
His sister, Fanny, still claims Lizzy was wilful and disobedient as she was not born a son, though for some reason never burdens her other daughters with this perceived fault.
Edward’s brother-in-law, Thomas Bennet, does not correct his wife.
Rather, I am told he sits back and smirks. Not an ideal parent.
My prayer is that I will emulate you and my dearly departed mother as a parent when, if, one day He blesses us with such. I know I get ahead of myself, Papa, but I cannot help it.
I knew I loved Edward when I could not imagine a version of my future with him not in it.
If you are concerned with his prospects, do not be, Papa.
He began his own concern, Gardiner and Associates (I know not who the associates are, or even if there are any), some 3 years past, and I have heard Uncle Peter remark how well his protégé is doing.
It must be true because when 23 Gracechurch Street was for sale some 8 months ago, Edward purchased it.
The house is of similar configuration and size as this one and there is a wall in common between them. You have seen where I live, so you will know that I will be mistress of a very comfortable establishment.
You know I care not about mercenary concerns, but it is good to know Edward will be able to provide for me and any children we may be blessed with by Him.
Before I forget, it is overly generous of Mr Darcy that not only will he provide an education for his godson, but that Adam also will be sent to Eton and then Cambridge with Master Darcy.
If my brother chooses the church, you may be granted your dream of him succeeding you at All Saint’s Church one day.
(I pray for it to be decades in the future.)
From your blissfully happy daughter who is floating among the clouds, with much love,
Maddie
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
31 August 1798
North Star House
Lambton
My dearest, darling daughter, Maddie,
Your suitor wrote to me as well, and of course, I bestow my blessing and permission, even though, as you said, you need it not due to receiving permission from your Uncle Peter.
I wrote to Gardiner with my consent, and like I am telling you now, I told him that if you accept him, you two have my permission and blessing to marry. I could not have parted with you, my Maddie, to anyone less worthy. He will be a son of good character, and he deserves you.
Rather than demand you marry from this house, which has not been your home for these 6 years, you have my blessing to marry from Gracechurch Street.
As soon as you have a date, write to me. Adam and I will be there.
With all of my fatherly love and pride,
Father