More Letters From Pemberley (3 page)

My dear Jane,

At last, a moment to myself! Lydia is gone into Lambton, which hitherto she had found “an excessively tedious place, with little in the way of fashion or style to recommend it,” yet since my offer to purchase for her a prettily trimmed spring bonnet at Weaver’s—by good fortune the exact colour of her new travelling dress—Lambton has gained a little in her favour. The village is, no doubt, grateful for the compliment.

I fear that our quiet life at Pemberley has disappointed our youngest Sister. Anna and Fanny Norland have been kind enough to wait upon us twice, for which I am indebted to them. They have little in common with Lydia, who made no effort to hide her boredom once she discovered they had little knowledge of, or interest in the latest fashion in hair ornaments and shoe trimmings. Sir Richard Mansfield who, as you know, needs little excuse for a party, generously gave a small one in Lydia’s honour, but an absence of sufficient young men to dance and flirt with at Hurstbourne Park prevented the occasion being at all amusing, she informed me upon her return.

Mr. Darcy’s business keeps him in town another fortnight. His hope that the matters which brought him there might be more speedily concluded was, sadly, a false one. I long for his return, and feel his absence keenly. His letters indicate that he is as anxious to be home again as I am to have him by my side. “As I look about me in fashionable company in London,” he writes, “I see none I like half so much as my own dear Wife. Indeed, to enjoy the repose of my own fireside listening to my Wife, in her chair opposite, read a poem aloud, is my dearest wish.” Is that not a sweet sentiment?

Notwithstanding my efforts to entertain our Sister, I spend my days in quiet and ease, exactly as you required of me. Profitably, too, for the basket at my side is nicely filled with nursery items, as is the poor-basket. How fortunate that I had few expectations of our Sister’s needle making any contribution, else I should be sorely disappointed. While I stitch, Mrs. Wickham leafs through copies of
La Belle Assemblée
and
Ackerman’s Repository,
bemoaning all the while the unfairness of not being able to have all the gowns and bonnets to which she takes a fancy, and to which she feels entitled. I have chosen to ignore her hint that Mr. Wickham really ought to have a fancy toothpick case and that since Mr. Darcy is in town, might he not be persuaded to purchase one from Gray’s?

How pleased I am to know that you and my Nephew continue in good health! And how dearly I wish I were able to travel with Lydia on the 24th to see you! However, since by way of compensation my dear Husband returns from town the following day, and with Georgiana rejoining us but three days later, pray do not feel
too
sorry for your devoted Sister,

Elizabeth

My dear Charlotte,

How quickly a year passes! It seems hardly possible that young Robert celebrates his first birthday next week. I rejoice that he is in excellent health and brings you such happiness, and can well imagine how proud Mr. Collins must be of such a fine son.

Immediately upon her return from Rosings, I uncharitably questioned Georgiana minutely and at great length about
you
and
your
family, when all the while poor Georgiana was longing for me to commiserate with
her
on her uncomfortable stay there. (By the bye, I am obliged to you for receiving G. so often and in such Sisterly fashion. She tells me that your kindness made the difficult audiences at Rosings much easier to bear, the more so because of your tact in
not
plying her with questions she may have found awkward to answer.)

You know, perhaps, that Lady Catherine was on the point of taking over the wedding arrangements herself, thus obliging Georgiana and the Colonel to inform their Aunt of their own wish for a simple, quiet ceremony; that while they were both loath to disappoint their Aunt, in this instance, however, &c., &c.

Lady Catherine, not a woman to be gainsaid, did not receive this well-intentioned speech well. It is a tribute to the good natures and temperaments of both that they bore the frankness of her Ladyship’s remarks so valiantly. Knowing them both so well, it must have pained them exceedingly to have gone against her wishes; only their greater fear of the outcome were Lady C. to have her way armed them for the fray. (I relate the above at Georgiana’s request. She is exceedingly thankful to you, feeling most uncomfortable and ungrateful that she was obliged to be so secretive at the time. Having reassured her that you were to be trusted not to reveal any confidences she might share with you, she begged me to tell you all and extends heartfelt apologies for her earlier wariness.)

You may not yet have heard—since the letter only arrived a few days ago—that Colonel Fitzwilliam’s Father is to give them a fine house on his estate. They are both most deserving of his generosity and I am delighted for them, but I shall miss Georgiana dreadfully. We have known each other but a short time, yet I am as fond of her as a Sister could be, and (dare I say it?) take a little credit for her blossoming into a fine young woman with a little
more
confidence and a great deal
less
fear of the world than when we first met. Since I am boasting, let me also take a little more credit for her changing relationship with her Brother, who previously (because of their difference in age and the early death of their Father) was more Father figure than Brother. I now take great delight in observing them in conversation: occasionally, she will make so bold as to actually contradict him, or even offer an opinion of her own! I hasten to add that an exchange such as this only takes place in the intimacy of our Family circle—she is not yet brave enough to venture a contradictory opinion in company. Since her betrothal to Colonel Fitzwilliam, of course, she has blossomed even further, and it gives us both much joy to see her at last happy and contented. It will be an excellent match with great affection on both sides.

Dear Charlotte, let me once again thank you for your many kindnesses to Georgiana. Friendship is indeed a precious gift, of more real value than the finest gold. Be assured that I treasure ours.

Affectionately,
Elizabeth

My dear Aunt Gardiner,

You will by now have received Mr. Darcy’s express informing you of the arrival of Anne Elizabeth on the 7th. He will not, however, have praised her sufficiently so I hasten to inform you of her particulars. Thankfully, she has the usual number of arms, legs, fingers and toes, but there her similarity with any other Infant ends. From her full head of soft, brown curls, to her large brown eyes fringed with long dark eyelashes, down to her tiny feet she is perfection. Were Shakespeare alive, I feel confident the mere sight of her would inspire a sonnet or two. But I am remiss in forgetting to describe the smile which lights up her dear, sweet face, and which clearly indicates her joy at finding herself in the world. (I fear little Annie may succeed in turning her Mamma into another Lady Mansfield, boring the world with the wonders of her Child, the likes of which it has never seen.)

It is my decided opinion that Annie bears every likeness to her Papa. Her Papa disagrees, insisting that her fine brown eyes and brown curls are her Mamma’s alone. You shall decide the matter when you are next at Pemberley. My Husband’s delight in the birth of his Daughter almost exceeds my own. My love for him, the Father of my Child, grows in strength, and I look upon myself as the happiest of women. Not a day passes that I do not give thanks for my many blessings and good fortune.

At Matins yesterday, my Husband was touched by the generosity and sincerity of the many good wishes and congratulations offered him. He had ordered the church bells rung once it was certain that Wife and Daughter were safely delivered, and instructed Mrs. Reynolds to arrange a celebration for the servants that they might share our joy.

One of life’s blessings is that Lady Catherine lives at a sufficient distance to necessitate the communication of her lengthy advice by letter. Poor Charlotte, how can she bear to have every aspect of her family life dictated and overseen by such a person? Yet I remind myself that Charlotte is of quite a different sort of temperament from myself and well able to handle Lady Catherine in her own quiet fashion. I think it will be best not to reply to her instructions on the selection and hiring of wet-nurses, a subject requiring two full pages of her Ladyship’s fine notepaper to fully describe. As it is, I have no intention whatever of employing a wet-nurse and intend to suckle my Child myself. It is the modern way and while I am no creature of fashion, in this case, fashion corresponds precisely with my own opinion. I shall not be one of those Mothers who consign their Children to the nursery and to the care of a governess, to be paraded in the drawing room when convenient. No, I shall not become a stranger to my Children. Indeed, my dear Aunt, as a Mother my dearest wish is to have as close and loving and a relationship with my Children as you and my Uncle have with yours. I shall look to you for guidance and advice.

The weather does not know how to be otherwise than fine. The Daleys sent over a fine basket of strawberries this morning with which we shall probably make jam, for Jane brought a goodly quantity from her own beds. (Dear Jane, bless her. She was such a strength to me during my Daughter’s birth, I know not how I should have got on without her. She remains here another three days.)

Affectionately,
E.D.

P.S. Mr. Darcy tells me of your invaluable assistance in selecting the string of pearls from Gray’s. It is perfect in every way and will always be a treasured reminder (in the unlikely event that I shall ever be in need of one) of my Daughter’s birth, the love of my Husband and the affections of a cherished Aunt.

My dear Mamma,

Your letter arrived this morning and finds us all in good health. Let me assure you that Mr. Darcy is by no means disappointed with his Daughter; quite the contrary, he is delighted with her. There is no cause for distress, and I entreat you to cease your concern that your Grandchild is not a boy. We are thankful that Annie is healthy and strong; she already brings us great happiness and you will afford me a great honour by sharing in it.

Jane returns to The Great House on Thursday. Mr. Bingley does not merely send the carriage for her, but comes himself with Frederick Charles and the Nurse—a first meeting for the two Cousins.

My Sister begs me send her love to you and to our Father, to which I add my own.

E.D.

Dear Lady Catherine,

Thank you for your kind congratulations on the birth of our Daughter. Indeed, you are correct: her name honours the memory of your Sister, Mr. Darcy’s Mother, and I trust she will prove herself worthy of it in the years to come.

I am also deeply obliged to you for your words of advice; it was most kind of you to take so much of your valuable time to impart your own experience, and I intend to make careful study of your words, particularly since you mention that my dear friend, Mrs. Collins (whose good sense I value highly) has benefited so greatly from them. Your Ladyship may rest assured that I am resolved to be a good Mother to my Children, to pray for them, to set them good examples, to give them good advice, to be careful both of their souls and bodies, and to watch over their tender minds. Since (as you say) my Children will have all the advantage of wealth and position, I am sure you will agree that as their Parents, Mr. Darcy and I will be obliged to remind them how privileged they are, and instill in them the qualities of good character, modesty, integrity and compassion for others, without which wealth and position are meaningless.

In closing, I should like to add my own wish to Mr. Darcy’s that you will consent to attend the nuptials of Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam in November, and do us the further honour of staying at Pemberley. This will also afford you the opportunity to see Mr. Repton’s work for yourself and, I trust, be reassured that his alterations have done nothing but enhance Pemberley’s beauty. (My Husband begs me add that, as you had requested, Georgiana did indeed report your opinion of Mr. Repton to him. He is much obliged.) Mr. Darcy joins me in the hope that your Daughter’s health will allow her to accompany you here.

Ever yours,
E. Darcy

My dear Lady Mansfield,

Knowing how little you like being away from home and your Children, the honour of your call was most deeply appreciated. Your devotion to your Children is indeed exemplary and much remarked upon among our acquaintance as the finest example of Motherhood, and a standard to which we should all aspire.

Your advice did not fall upon deaf ears, I assure you, and it was especially pleasing to know that we share similar views on so many topics. That we should disagree on a few trifling points is therefore of little import and I would not wish you to consider any differing views of mine as any criticism of yours. My choosing not to employ a wet-nurse, against your advice, may or may not be a modern fad, but in nursing my Child myself, I am obeying my instincts as a Mother, selfish instincts I have simply chosen not to deny.

On the subject of obedience and discipline in Children, I entirely agree that they are indispensable in their upbringing. All I intended to imply was that perhaps it is imprudent to call them forth
too
frequently on trivial occasions. Fear and force will, of course, govern Children when small, but I feel certain that having a strong hold on their
affections
will have the most influence over them as they journey through Life.

In saying thus much, I was speaking in the most general of terms, and certainly not passing comment on you, dear Lady Mansfield. From my own observation, your Children are exceedingly well-behaved and their devotion to their Mother boundless.

If my words caused you offence, I apologise unreservedly and beg forgiveness. Any offence was quite unintended, I assure you. I hope I may be permitted to seek your valuable advice in future—I know I shall be in need of it—and also know that there is nobody of my acquaintance so experienced and dedicated to the proper care of their Children as you.

Yours faithfully,
Elizabeth Darcy