Part 16 (1/2)

Charlotte and Mr Collins were here for a short visit earlier in the week but have now returned home. We were invited to a party at Lucas Lodge in their honour and we accepted. Lady Lucas could talk of nothing but Charlotte's interesting condition and Mama talked over her about Mr Darcy. I think Mama is growing bored, now that three of her daughters are married, and when Mary and Kitty marry, I think that it might be better if Charles and I were no longer in the neighbourhood, for she will have a great deal of leisure and will be here even oftener than at present.

After Christmas we intend to look about us for another house. Charles has long wanted to buy an estate, and as Netherfield Park is entailed on Frederick, it would not be possible to buy it, even if he wanted to. But I think he has a mind to move farther north, perhaps into Ches.h.i.+re, and I am in agreement. The lease on Netherfield runs out next September and we hope to have found our new home by then.

Whether the Sothertons will move back to Meryton, who can say? It will depend on Mr Sotherton, and whether he has conquered his propensities for fast living. Frederick, at least, it appears, has been saved, for Susan writes that he has mended his ways. I am glad. I always liked him and felt he was good at heart. I would like them to return to Meryton and I know that Kitty and Mary would value Ellie and Lucy's company.

But that is for another time, indeed, another year, and there are many things to look forward to before that. Will you come to us for Christmas? I am longing to see you again.

Your loving sister, Jane.

Mrs Elizabeth Darcy to Mrs Jane Bingley Pemberley, Derbys.h.i.+re, November 22.

Dearest Jane, I can see that we will have to perpetually argue about who is the happiest, because I cannot forego my own claim. Is not marriage wonderful? I cannot think how I managed before! Everything about life is so much better now. Our visit to the Lake District was wonderful and even the travelling was not tedious. c.u.mbria was very striking-beauty on an impressive scale-and the Fitzwilliam family were very grand but for the most part they were friendly.

We will not be able to join you for Christmas, as we will be holding a house party here, and of course you must come to us. Do say you will. Mama writes to me every day, dropping hints about visiting, and if she has a firm invitation for Christmas, I believe it will protect us from an impromptu visit before then. I have invited Charlotte as well, but she is not inclined to travel, with her olive branch so near to being delivered.

I have persuaded Fitzwilliam to invite his aunt Lady Catherine. I cannot say that I particularly want her here, but the rift must be healed sometime so it might as well be now. My resentment, once incurred, does not last forever, you see, though I am relying on you to rescue me from her if the occasion demands!

But do not let the thought of her prevent you coming to us. I am longing to show you Pemberley and I am growing to love it more every day. Fitzwilliam says that I must redecorate it if I wish but I prefer to leave it as it is. Everything is in good taste, and besides, it reminds me of my first visit here with my aunt and uncle. I can scarcely believe it was less than a year ago.

Fitzwilliam loves it even more than I do. He enjoyed our time in the Lakes but even then I could tell he was longing to return. He was eager to show me all his favourite spots in the house and garden and he wanted to introduce me to all his neighbours. We have been dining out every evening and so far I have met eleven of the princ.i.p.al families of the neighbourhood. I hope to meet more when we host our first dinner party next week.

Their welcome to me has been varied. Some of them have been warm and friendly, showing an interest in Hertfords.h.i.+re; indeed, the Braithwaites know the Lucases-it seems that they all met at St. James's. But others look down on me shockingly. My dear husband left his conversation to give me his support last night when Mrs Yates drew her skirts away from me as though I were contaminated and asked me pointedly, 'Who are your people?' But I understood her malice easily enough, as her unmarried daughter was by her side, and I was not to be intimidated by the likes of a Mrs Yates, you may be sure. It is a good thing I have some irritations to put up with, or else my life would be in danger of being too perfect!