18 March 1811
Governor’s Residence
Cape Town
My dearest, beloved Jane,
We were to stop in this colony to take on fresh water and supplies, but between Cape Agulhas and the Cape of Good Hope, we were struck by a sudden and violent storm.
There were no serious injuries or loss of life; however, some of the mast spars were damaged. The mainmast was sheared off about a third ofthe way from the top and many crosstrees were snapped. If that were not enough, the foremast is cracked.
Thankfully, the Royal Navy employs a large contingent of shipwrights here. They estimate the repairs will take 1 to 2 months. That means that rather than arrive in July, with the 3 to 4 month passage to England, I estimate we will arrive in September or October. It is my bad luck that none of the naval vessels stationed here need to return to England before then. As the Governor knows both my father and Uncle William, he would have made sure I would have been able to receive a berth aboard.
By that time of the year, Mother and Father will be in London, so I will of course go to see them at Matlock House. As soon as I have visited them and informed my father of the situation in India, I will be on my way to Longbourn. Wild horses would not be able to keep me away from you for any longer.
Once (if) you accept me, unless you object, I would like us to marry as soon as may be so that we will never need to be parted again.
With all of my love, and more,
Andrew
As much as Jane wanted her beloved home sooner rather than later, she was well aware the repairs were needed to make the ship seaworthy again. Yes, she wanted Andrew back soon, but more than that, she wanted him to remain safe. Just as shecompleted reading this latest letter and was beginning to fold it, Lizzy entered their sitting room.
It took seconds to determine that Jane was distressed. “Janey, what is it? Is Andrew safe and well?” Elizabeth asked concernedly as she sat next to Jane and pulled her into a tight hug.
“He is, praise be to God, well. But it will be an additional one to two months before he arrives in England,” Jane revealed as she thrust the letter into Lizzy’s hands. “Read it, Lizzy. You know you and I have no secrets between us.”
Lizzy took the missive from Jane and read it quickly. “All that is important is that Andrew is safe,” Elizabeth opined.
“I am dreading Andrew’s return. I will have to tell him about my birthmother and what type of person she was. I hope that does not make him reconsider aligning himself with me,” Jane related sadly, as a single tear fell from one of her eyes.
“Jane, you can be such a silly goose at times,” Elizabeth smiled.
“How can you find my pain amusing?” Jane demanded indignantly as she pulled away from Lizzy.
“All of the Cavendishes and the Fitzwilliams know about the woman who compromised Papa,” Elizabeth clarified. “Before he ever fell in love with you, Andrew was fully aware of who, and what, your birth mother was. Even had he not been, I am sure he would not have cared. He loves you far too much to give you up because of something over which you had no control. Also, how many times has Mama told us how she fell in love with you the instant she saw you? And more than that, how all of the family loved you as soon as they met you?” Elizabeth squeezed Jane’s hand. Her older sister was looking decidedly happier.
“I was a goose, was I not?” Jane acknowledged.
“Think about it, Janey. Have Mama or Papa ever treated you differently from any of the rest of us?” Jane shook her head emphatically. “Our grandmothers, grandfather, aunts, uncles, or cousins?” Again, Jane shook her head. “That is because you are Mama’s daughter as much as Mary, Ellie, and me. Mama fell in love with you even before her heart belonged to Papa.”
After wiping her eyes and putting herself to rights, Jane was ready to accompany Lizzy downstairs.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Darcy returned to London during the second week of June. He had been completely satisfied everything was in order in Ramsgate. It would do Giana good, and help her grow, to be on her own and not under his constant supervision.
Knowing his sister was perfectly safe and happy, Darcy could accompany Bingley into Hertfordshire with a clear conscience. The only thing he regretted was his agreement to be hosted with Bingley for a few months to assist him in learning about estate management. His friend had told him that his younger sister would be his hostess. As much as he liked Bingley, Darcy detested the social climbing, fortune-hunting shrew who was his younger sister, Miss Caroline Bingley.
He was well aware how desperate Miss Bingley was becoming, so he would have to make sure he was protected at all times in case she attempted to entrap him. Even though he would not gratify a woman who attempted to force him into an unwanted marriage, he would prefer not to be in that situation.
After two days of business meetings, Darcy was ready to join his friend in journeying into Hertfordshire.
Try as he might not to, he did feel guilty about his last interaction with Richard. Richard had stated fact; they were equal co-guardians, just as his late father had stipulatedin his will. As one who always claimed any form of disguise was abhorrent to him, Darcy had to admit that part of his highhandedness with employing the companion was his resentment that his father had not made him the sole guardian of his sister.
That admission notwithstanding, Darcy still felt he had made the right decision regarding Mrs Younge.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
