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Derwent House, London

Dear Elizabeth,

You know not how much joy it gives me that I am allowed to address you thus.

Shall I count the ways? Once you asked who had discovered the efficacy of poetry in driving away love, but I shall remain firm in my belief that ours is a fine, stout, hearty love that shall not be starved away by one woeful sonnet.

That said, I shall not tempt fate with my own attempt at verse, for I know very well that my slight, thin sort of talent would not do you justice.

Instead, I will rely upon your patience ‘til my return, for I have been prowling the library and discovered some lines here and there that, if I am allowed to read them in your presence, might begin to express my feelings.

I am no good with words, Elizabeth. You must know that even while my body is here in London my heart is with you.

Georgiana has become quite impertinent in her remarks, reminding me to pay attention to the conversation when my thoughts have returned to Hertfordshire.

I am attempting to be diligent about my business, however, for the sooner it is completed, the sooner I may return to you.

I have just received a note from Mrs. Jenkinson that she and Anne will be joining us for dinner.

They are settled in comfortable rooms near Georgiana’s apartment.

I believe that my cousin was more exhausted by all the travel than even we realized, for she retreated to her bed immediately upon our arrival and has not left it since.

Georgiana is most eager to visit the Gardiners but I have counseled her to delay for a day or two.

I believe Anne would benefit from the acquaintance but first she needs to recover what strength she can .

We did not have time to talk about it but I wonder if you plan to visit London before our wedding?

My Aunt Eleanor has written with the news that she and the Earl shall be returning to Town in the first week of August and hope to meet you.

Lady Catherine’s behavior truly horrified them and I would not be surprised if they attempt to rival your mother in the number of teas and dinners they will wish to host in order to assure you that you are welcomed by the family.

There was even some mention of an engagement ball.

If such a gathering is in honor of my own fiancée then surely I would be allowed to dance every dance with her?

If such is the case, I might actually be inclined to agree to the scheme…

But in all seriousness, my love, please tell me what you wish to do.

Should you prefer to remain at Longbourn and do your shopping in Meryton I would understand completely (and I will make my relations understand).

Though I can no longer imagine Pemberley without you, I do know that you have been gone from Hertfordshire a great deal over the last year and might prefer to spend the time until our wedding with your family and the home you have known since birth.

Simply tell me what your preference is and it shall be done.

I met with my solicitors this morning and they should have the settlement contract drafted within the week.

(If they do not, I may not be able to control my longing to see you again…

if you are awakened during the night by the sound of pebbles bouncing off the window panes, my love, do not panic for it shall be me, drawn by the desperate need to look upon your face…).

I know you do not like to speak of money, dearest, and I have every intention of sharing many long years of happiness with you, but bitter experience has taught me that it is best to be prepared.

But I am determined that this, my second letter to you, shall not be maudlin, particularly as my first was such a miserable excuse.

I have informed the staff here that they shall have a new mistress.

Our butler, Mr. Holmes, was pleased in his quiet, solemn way; he remembers your visit in April, I believe, which shall no doubt earn you his eternal devotion.

Mrs. Wilkins is full of plans; I hired her nearly four years ago and I fear that she expected my household to be much more sociable.

I shall leave her in your capable hands, my love, and pray that you can convince her that we do not need to entertain every evening when we are in London.

Georgiana has just come to inquire if I will send my letter before dinner as she wishes to include notes to you and your sister.

(I am pleased to see that she and Miss Catherine appear to have become fast friends.

As you noted, they each have something to offer each other in friendship.) If I do not end now, I fear I shall continue ‘til dawn and then need a crate rather than an envelope to contain all the pages.

Dearest Elizabeth, knowing that you love me has given me the greatest joy of my life. Know that not an hour goes by without the thought of you and my every action is in the hope that it shall speed my return to you.

All my love,

Fitzwilliam

…………………………………….

Longbourn House, Hertfordshire

Dearest Fitzwilliam,

You, my love, are far too humble with regard to your talents as a wordsmith.

I shall not require sonnets for your prose is infinitely more satisfying.

Though I hope not to receive too many letters from you in the years ahead (as that would imply that we will spend much time apart), I shall rest easy in the knowledge that, when I do receive them, they shall give me nearly as much pleasure as your presence.

We are quiet here at Longbourn, or as quiet as a house of this size can be with my mother when she has recently been informed that her two eldest daughters are engaged to most deserving men.

I shall not repeat to you what criteria she uses to determine that you and Mr. Bingley are deserving—just know that she means well.

A bit of wadding for your ears the next time you visit Longbourn might not go astray, however.

But perhaps I am getting ahead of myself by assuming you already know that your friend is engaged to my dearest sister?

I cannot imagine you do not, given that Mr. Bingley proposed on the very morning you departed Netherfield.

If you are determined to keep your gentlemanly confidences a secret, however, I shall understand, though I cannot promise not to tease you mercilessly for the details.

Jane is incandescently happy, more so than I have ever seen her (which for Jane is quite a feat!).

We spoke late into the night and I believe she was actually relieved that Mr. Bingley delayed his proposal despite all the tension caused by the expectations of the neighborhood (and our mother) this last month.

In her mind, he has proven himself to be reliable; since his return to Hertfordshire, he has not wavered in his attentions to her and seems to be attending to his responsibilities on the estate.

My love, Jane and I have hatched an idea.

As with the questions in your own letter (which I will answer below, have no fear!), please tell me what your opinion is, not what you guess will make me happy.

My sister and I have always assumed that the other would be present at our wedding celebration but neither of us wishes to delay our nuptials ‘til winter so that the other may return from her wedding trip in time.

What would you think of sharing our wedding day with my sister and Mr. Bingley?

I admit that I like the idea very much indeed, for neither Jane nor I wish to leave the other behind at Longbourn.

Jane is worried that someone of your family will not wish to share your celebration with someone of Mr. Bingley’s station (I fear that Lady Catherine’s entrance at Longbourn has been rather difficult for my poor sister to recover from), though I’ve tried to reassure her.

She is speaking with Charles (as my soon-to-be-brother insists I now address him) but we shall speak to no one else until I have ascertained your feelings on the subject.

My mother’s disappointment in not having two weddings to plan would be easily overcome by the pride of presenting the grandest double ceremony that Hertfordshire has ever seen.

My father might protest that he will miss his two most sensible daughters but in the end he will be relieved to have all the “wedding nonsense” over as soon as possible so that he may retire to his book room in peace.

However, Jane and I shall take no further steps until I hear your thoughts on the subject.

Please thank your aunt and uncle for their reassurance and invitations.

I’ve spoken with my father and Jane and we are planning a trip to London for two weeks in mid-August. Though my mother expects to be part of the party, I believe my father shall convince her that she is needed at Longbourn to supervise the wedding arrangements.

I had expected Papa to be eager to send her with Jane and myself so he might have a bit of peace but I suppose he would have been left with Lydia, Catherine, and Mary which makes even London in August appear attractive to him.

I shall not tell him of your aunt’s invitations for fear that, in order to avoid Society, he would refuse to allow any of us to go, much less come himself.