I have met with the solicitor and my man of business, and tonight I will have dinner with my aunt and uncle DeWitt. I have not seen my father’s sister in nearly five years, I think. She wrote to say she is bursting to tell me news of her travels, and I will admit I am curious to hear about the places she has seen lately.
I was thinking, would you like to take a journey? I know we traveled a little before the children were born, but with the war, our destinations were limited. Should you like to travel further abroad? I should like to see the continent again with you by my side. We could take the children and Nanny. It would be a devil to plan, but it could be done if we wished to.
What say you?
I miss you, and I will return as soon as I may. Kiss the children for me.
Your husband,
FD
Pemberley, Derbyshire
19 September, 1830
My Dear Husband,
I love that idea! We could take the children, and you are right that it would require more planning and organization than were we to go alone, and it will certainly be a greater expense, but it would be an unforgettable experience.
I wish we had done that this year instead of sending Bennet to school! I hate to embark on such a journey without him. Could he take a break from school and join us? It is too late for that, is it not? He may be too old to enjoy a journey with his family. Perhaps we could ask him what he would like to do?
I am happy for Jack and I hope that this next chapter in his life will be all he hopes and more. He deserves it, the poor dear.
I have heard again from Lydia. Captain Danvers has proposed and she accepted. They will be wed the 15thof October. They will go to London for a short wedding tour, then she will remove to his house. From what Mary has said, I gather he is somewhat firm in his way of doing things, but perhaps that is what L needs. He cannot be too set in his ways or he would not be attracted to someone like Lydia. But perhaps I am mistaken.
I have told her I will not travel for the wedding. It is a long journey for one afternoon of events, and I will admit only to you that I am not desirous of seeing my youngest sister. She causes a great deal of grief for the entire family and were I to be standing in front of her, I might not be able to hold my tongue. And that would be inappropriate at a wedding. So I shall stay at Pemberley where I am happiest and await the return of my husband.
Travel safely, my dear.
All my love,
Elizabeth
Darcy House, London
22 September, 1830
Dear Elizabeth,
I will be on my way home tomorrow. I am having dinner with the Gardiners tonight and then I will be happy to see the back of London for a good long while.
I think that if we wish to make an extensive journey a possibility, it could be done. It would require planning, but it is possible. I doubt Bennet would wish to spend so much time with his family in an enclosed carriage, but the benefit of travel may be a strong draw.
If we were to embark in June, he could travel with us for the summer and return in time for school to begin while we continue on. We could send him home with one of my cousins if we could talk them into joining us, or Simmons could take him. He has been with me more than twenty years and I trust him with my life. We will find a way, my love.
I cannot wait to see you. In four nights’ time, I will be sleeping next to you. Though with the way I am missing you, I doubt there will be much sleeping.
Kiss the children for me and tell them I miss them.
All my love,
FD
12
In Which We Say Goodbye
Longbourn,Hertfordshire
