How are the twins? Have they been crying for me? It will not be long now. I hope to leave in the next day or two, possibly with Matilda and Joseph in tow. If they are not yet ready to leave their mother, father has said he will bring them next month.
Hopefully, I will be a few days behind this letter.
All my love,
Elizabeth Darcy
Longbourn, Hertfordshire
13 May, 1826
Fitzwilliam,
I am dashing off this letter before boarding the carriage home. There has been a change of plans. When we told them we were leaving, the children were nearly beside themselves and Matilda wrapped herself about my legs so tightly I could hardly walk. She is sitting on my lap as I write this now. I will be bringing her and Joseph with me to Pemberley, and Thomas as well. He was wretched at the idea of being separated from Joseph—they have always been close—and he has grown somewhat attached to me as well. Beatrice will go directly to the Bingleys, and Jack will stay here, basking in my father’s attention. The both of them will travel to the Bingleys next month and stay for the summer.
My dear, I hope we do not regret this! But they are such dear children. I will see you soon. Please don’t be angry. What am I saying? You are the most generous man I know. And Pemberley is large—we will hardly know there are three extra children for the summer.
Please inform Reynolds, she will know what to do.
I will see you soon, my love!
ED
Lion’s Head Inn, Portsmouth
6 June, 1826
My Dear Elizabeth,
Jones was correct. Wickham has been hiding out in Portsmouth at a dingy inn, trying to earn enough for his passage. I have taken the liberty of purchasing a berth for him on a ship bound for Upper Canada in exchange for a signed document declaring me the children’s legal guardian. And not delivering him to Mr. Wallace with a bow around his neck, of course.
Your sister will not be free to remarry until he has been missing some years, but perhaps something can be done about that, though I know not what. I will leave it to your father to keep her out of trouble.
How are the children faring? Has Joseph mastered his letters? Please tell Elinor I was quite enamored of her drawing of a horse.
W’s ship leaves tomorrow and once I see it safely out of the port, I will begin the long journey home. It has been many years in the making, but I believe Wickham has been dealt with once and for all. We may all sleep a little easier after tomorrow.
I will be with you soon, my love.
Your Husband,
FD
11
In Which Bennet Goes to School
TheCrown&RoseInn, Eton
3 September, 1830
Dear Elizabeth,
Bennet is settling in nicely to his rooms and seems glad to be fagging for his cousin. Stafford is a little self-important, but he is not cruel, so I am not overly concerned. My cousin has promised me that her son will look after Bennet with all the care and attention of an elder brother, and of course Richard had to chime in that that was what he was worried about. Regardless, young Stafford assured me he would watch over Bennet and I am convinced enough of his fear of me that I believe him.
He has not yet forgotten how I made him muck the stalls for a fortnight when he was eleven and he got caught playing pranks on the tenants. Of course it does not hurt that he only comes up to my shoulders.
I have met with the head of Bennet’s house and so far I am confident that all will be well. The boy he is sharing his rooms with seems to have a kind bent. I am unsurprised as his father is a kind sort, which is why we arranged things as we did, but it is always nice to be assured of these things.
