Page 33 of Longbourn’s Son (Pride and Prejudice Variation #22)
Colonel Forster,
Two days ago, I was in my club and overheard a fellow officer recounting a story about your regiment in Meryton.
According to the major in question, you disregarded a warning from the local justice of the peace that two of your militia officers were fleecing the local youth and fellow militia officers by cheating at cards.
Your men were also threatening to ruin local women.
Subsequent to those warnings, one of the men in question attacked a local gentleman without provocation.
Naturally, I was concerned and sought out Colonel Fitzwilliam, second son of the earl of Matlock, who was involved in the stirring events in Meryton.
He confirmed that you did foolishly disregard the warnings about Captain Williamson and Lieutenant Wickham, which resulted in a near catastrophe that could have robbed a local, prominent family of its son and heir.
Based on this knowledge, I am revoking my blessing concerning your potential marriage to my daughter, Miss Banfield.
I had hoped, as a mature man, you could be trusted to make wise decisions; it is obvious that your own pride and stupidity led you to casually set aside the concerns of the local gentry in Meryton.
Do not approach my daughter, Colonel Forster.
Sincerely,
Major Josiah Banfield (retired)
/
December 31 st , 1811
Dear Miss Darcy,
I hope this letter finds you well, and that you reached Pemberley without incident.
Here in Hertfordshire it is cold, but there has not yet been snow, which is a disappointment.
However, our butler, who has a nose for such things, declares that we will have snow by evening. We will see if he is right!
My aunt and uncle Gardiner and their four children spent a pleasant two weeks here at Longbourn.
The children are growing so very quickly; it is quite incredible.
They are a delightful, noisy, energetic crew, and Lydia thoroughly relished going outside with them every clear day to run and hop and jump and climb trees.
I believe my aunt and the children’s nursemaids were grateful to my youngest sister; the children all slept very well, no doubt from being quite worn out by Lydia.
(Since you are a friend, I will confess that I too ran and hopped with the children, but not with quite as much vim and vigor as Lydia.)
The Gardiners left today with Jane and Mary, who will spend the next two months in London.
Jane is looking forward to devoting more time to our cousins – she absolutely adores children – and Mary will be spending time with a music master.
I believe both will also benefit from some relief in caring for the estate.
It is time for Kitty and Lydia to start serving the tenants as needed, and I will be acting mistress.
My brother is entirely recovered from his injuries, to the great relief of us all.
He is currently out in the barn inspecting the pregnant ewes.
Please tell Mr. Darcy that I am most grateful for his advice concerning goats.
Luke plans to purchase at least one buck and several does for next year. He is excited at the prospect.
I must finish this as I need to speak to Cook about the meals for tomorrow. She has more cooking competence in her little finger than I have in my whole body, but she wishes to observe the appropriate forms.
Please do give my regards to Mr. Darcy.
Many blessings,
Elizabeth Bennet
/
January 5 th , 1812
Rosings
Darcy,
It is most irritating that you chose to return to Pemberley before visiting us at Rosings.
It was only some thirty miles on good roads, and it would have been an easy matter to ride out to see me, and more importantly, Anne.
You know that neither of us cares to travel in winter, which is why we did not take part in the family festivities – that, and I do not care for the bedchambers at Matlock House.
It is quite absurd that Lady Matlock insists on such simple furnishings.
She has visited us at Rosings twice, and thus knows how to appropriately appoint and decorate a mansion.
I have sent her many letters with suggestions, but she ignores me.
She has always been an extremely proud, haughty woman, and not inclined to take my advice.
In any case, I will expect you here at Rosings around Easter. You have had plenty of time to sow your wild oats, Darcy. It is time for you to marry Anne and be done with it.
Your affectionate aunt,
Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
/
January 10 th , 1812
Dearest Lizzy,
Yes, Mary and I are having a wonderful time.
The children continue to delight me, though I confess that I am extremely thankful for the nursemaids.
Little Ezra is at what is appropriately called a ‘challenging’ stage – he can be sugar and spice one moment, and screaming in indignant outrage the next.
The music master is a pleasant young man of some thirty years. He and Mary seem to get along well, and she says her playing has already improved.
I do have rather a surprise for you; Colonel Fitzwilliam has come to call on us several times.
He is currently stationed in London, though he says he may be sent to Brighton in the late spring to work with the troops there.
He has invited us all to the theater next Thursday, and we are looking forward to it; they will be showing one of the Shakespearean comedies, which I enjoy so much more than the tragedies.
Is there any additional news concerning the militia?
With much love,
Your Jane
/
Blackburn Manor
Wiltshire
January 13 th , 1812
Dear Louisa,
It is rather a pity that you are still in half mourning, dear sister, and thus cannot enjoy the superior society at Blackburn Manor.
Lord Sedgewick arrived yesterday with his sister, making our party complete.
Miss Priscilla Cranston, whom you no doubt remember from our seminary days, is a reasonably accomplished player on the pianoforte, though not as good as I am.
However, we have played several duets which, without a doubt, have impressed several of the gentlemen.
There are at least three eligible men among our number, and I hope that one will prove a good match.
I am most thankful that I realized Mr. Darcy and I would not suit.
Now that I am away from Hertfordshire, I can tell how oppressive Netherfield Hall was to one of my sensitive temperament.
I truly do not know how you can bear to be there, but am grateful, since you are able to act as hostess to our brother.
Is he still pursuing Miss Jane Bennet with vigor? I hope you will discourage him, Louisa. She is poor with regrettable connections.
Your loving sister,
Caroline
/
January 27 th , 1812
Longbourn
Dear Jane,
I am delighted that Colonel Fitzwilliam escorted you to the theater. But come, my dear, you did not tell me which comedy you were going to see! I expect a careful description of the experience the next time you write.
Mr. Bingley does not seem to be pining over your absence.
He and Mrs. Hurst visit often, but I believe that is largely because Father and Mrs. Hurst wish to spend time together.
He is also at Lucas Lodge quite often. Lady Lucas sets a very good table and Charlotte, in particular, is pleasant company.
You asked about the militia; most of the shopkeepers have stopped providing credit to the officers and are calling in all their debts; as you know, both Wickham and Williamson ran up quite a few bills and left Meryton without paying.
Wickham, of course, was sent to Marshalsea.
Captain Williamson has disappeared, and while I believe some attempt has been made to find him, it will no doubt prove difficult.
Based on the conversation that Luke overheard, the man is a master of manipulating others, and no doubt also knows how to lie low when the occasion calls for it.
The remaining officers are still welcome at parties and events, but everyone is watching over their sons and daughters more carefully.
I find myself quite busy overseeing Longbourn, which shows me how much you look to our comfort when you are here. I will confess to missing you and Mary a great deal, though if you rush back to keep me company, I will put you on the first carriage back to London. You need time away.
I also miss Mr. Darcy and Miss Darcy. It is amusing that when we first ‘met’ Mr. Darcy, he insulted me.
Now I consider him a valued acquaintance; he is very intelligent, and it is a joy to converse with him.
The militia officers are not very well informed.
As for Miss Darcy, you know what a delight she is.
Ah well, I must not repine; the Darcys have their own lives in Derbyshire, and it is unlikely we will see them anytime soon, though . .. well, as I said, I must not repine.
With much love,
your Lizzy
/
January 28 th , 1812
Pemberley
Dear Miss Elizabeth,
Firstly, I would be grateful if you would call me Georgiana. I am thankful that you wished to correspond with me and consider you a good friend.
I told my brother about the goats, and he was glad your brother intends to form a herd. He is studying goats as well and says that if your brother is interested, he will send any useful information to Longbourn on the topic.
I am playing the pianoforte a good deal these days. One of Mozart’s symphonies is proving very challenging indeed, but I am making good progress.
So far the weather is cold and we have had snow, but the ice on the ponds is not yet safe for ice skating. The end of January is usually the coldest time of the year, so I hope we will be able to go skating soon. We have gone on sleigh rides, which is enormous fun.