I am so very pleased that you have not had the misfortune of seeing the supercilious sisters since Aunt Maddie evicted them from her house. I have said this before, but I would have so much wanted to be there to see Aunt Maddie in the role of avenging angel.
On that subject, I believe that your former false friend will soon regret her actions. My feeling is that it will not be too long before Miss Bingley feels the consequences of her dissembling.
If you are willing to, Mr Darcy has requested permission to see that despicable letter of lies Miss Bingley sent you. He almost chuckled at what she said about him, but he is not willing to allow what she said about the young lady go unchallenged. I believe he is concerned she will deny her words without incontrovertible proof. (When I see you, I will explain how it is that he is aware of the letter and its contents.)
The man said that if you agree, you may post it to Darcy House in Grosvenor Square, or, if you and the Gardiners prefer, he will have it collected; just have Uncle Edward send a note to Mr Darcy, and he will send a man to collect it or do so himself. Enough about anything to do with that shrewish harpy. (Sorry, if that is too much for you Jane.)
Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam departed Kent earlier today. Thatmeans that he will be in London by the time you receive this epistle from me. It is up to you whether or not you agree to provide him with that disgusting missive you have.
By the by, now that her nephews are no longer in residence, we have been invited to Rosings Park twice since their departure as now Lady Catherine does not have better company to entertain her. During the fortnight or so they were here, we were only invited twice, and once I had a megrim which caused me to remain at the parsonage. It passed soon enough, so I am well.
As much as I have enjoyed my time here (for the most part), I cannot wait until the morning of our departure, when Maria and I will be on our way to you. Of course, I will miss Charlotte, but I cannot repine leaving so I do not have to see, or listen to, Cousin Collins, hopefully for a period of long duration.
It may sound uncharitable after I was hosted in his house for nigh on a month. However, Mr Collins has never ceased importuning me about what I lost by not accepting his proposal. Poor Charlotte, she was more mortified each time her husband tries to prove that I made an error. I DID NOT!
I do feel sympathy for our friend, but as I said in a previous letter, she made her choice while knowing what kind of man she agreed to marry. Her choice was her own establishment rather than compatibility with her husband. I suspect that the attraction of being the mistress of Longbourn one day was something which helped her decide to accept him.
The above is pure speculation as Charlotte and I have never had that discussion. It is notsomething I have broached, and neither has she. Unlike her husband with his hints and innuendo, I know that Charlotte wishes Papa a very long and good life.
If it were not for the fact that Maria would be vastly disappointed if we departed sooner than we are scheduled and there are only a few days until we do, I would ask Uncle Edward to send the carriage to collect me as soon as may be. However, I will be patient and wait for the original date of my departure to arrive. It is not that I want to be away from Charlotte; rather, I am missing all of you. Do not write again, Dearest, as I will not either. We will see one another soon enough.
As always, my warmest regards to Aunt Maddie, Uncle Edward, Lilly, Eddy, Peter, and May.
With all of my sisterly affection,
Lizzy
As there was nothing personal in the missive, Jane handed it to Aunt Maddie while she considered Lizzy’s words.
When Maddie finished reading, she returned the pages to Jane who folded it and inserted it into her pocket. “Will you allow Mr Darcy to see the letter?” She asked.
“I will!” Jane exclaimed with no delay. “I agree with Lizzy; it is time for Miss Bingley to feel the effects of her actions. I would not feel comfortable posting it, but if Uncle Edward will send a note to Mr Darcy, I am willing to hand it to him, and he may do with it what he will.”
“You will not hear any disagreement from me. We will speak to your uncle when he is home from work; I am sure he will dispatch a note first thing in the morning,” Maddie agreed.
“What do you think wouldhave occasioned Lizzy to have a conversation with Mr Darcy in which the letter and its contents would be discussed?” Jane wondered.
“That, Jane dear, is something only she can tell us if she so chooses.”
Chapter 6
Elizabeth was in anticipation of arriving at 23 Gracechurch Street. She could not wait to see Jane and her sister’s new perspective for herself.
As keen as she had been to see Jane and the Gardiners, Elizabeth had felt a tinge of sadness when she had farewelled Charlotte this morning. That feeling was driven by the uncertainty of when she would see her friend again.
Of course, the leave-taking had been spoilt by Mr Collins. With one breath, he had berated Elizabeth for not accepting Lady Catherine’s condescension by remaining in Kent a further fortnight, as his patroness had invited. With his next long-winded breath, he was pointing out all his cousin had missed by not accepting his proposal. Seeing how sad her husband’s continued harping on that subject made Charlotte, Elizabeth had been about to unleash her tongue and berate the buffoon. However, Charlotte, seeing what was coming, shook her head; which caused Elizabeth to bite her tongue.
Poor Maria had not understood why Elizabeth had practically pushed her into Uncle Edward’s carriage, frightening poor Dottie, the maid her uncle had sent. Elizabeth had almost jumped in behind the youngest Lucas. Thankfully, the coachman was ready, and they were off as soon as the footman took his position on the back bench.
As she sat on the forward-facing bench, Elizabeth considered that it could have been her lack of reaction to her cousin’s inanities which had spurred him to continue as he had. All she could pray was that the man was truly as Charlotteclaimed, not vicious.
While Elizabeth was thinking about her friend, Maria was chattering about all of the times they had been invited to Rosings Park for meals or tea.
At the stop at the Bell in Bromley, Elizabeth had not used Lady Catherine’s name as she had suggested. She suspected that mentioning her name would have only resulted in them receiving worse service.
Just over two hours after they departed from the inn at Bromley, all thoughts of the journey flew from Elizabeth’s mind thanks to the noise of London’s cobblestoned streets below the wheels as the driver slowed and guided the conveyance onto Gracechurch Street. Being so close to the end of the journey, it was everything Elizabeth could do not to bounce up and down on the bench. Dottie was looking at her with raised eyebrows and a smile on her face. The maid made no comment.
As she had hoped, Jane, her aunt, and uncle were all waiting for them when the carriage was drawn to a halt. As much as she wanted to burst from within, Elizabeth waited until the footman placed the step and opened the door. With Maria being closer to the open door, Uncle Edward handed her out first, and then it was Elizabeth’s turn.
