“It is not a question of me suddenly becoming wise or becoming a sage and seeing things in their proper light. All I had to do was allow myself to see them,” Jane explained. “On a different subject, did you see how excited Mary and Kitty are that Papa is teaching them and is willing to employ a governess and companion in one for them? Not to mention the fact he is to bring masters both in music and art to Longbourn.”
“Surely you have noted that since you set Mary down for her useless platitudes, she has not picked up Fordyce once. I believe Kitty will thrive with the combination of attention from our parents and the absence of Lydia’s negative influence,” Elizabeth observed.
“What of you, Lizzy? Are you looking forward to joining the Gardiners to travel to the lakes in June?” Jane asked.
“I am. However, I will miss your company greatly. After all, for almost two months I will be away from you.” Elizabeth sighed. “The cousins will enjoy being at Longbourn, and they love you looking after them.”
There was a knock on the door, and Hill entered, a missive in his hand. “This just arrived for Miss Jane and Miss Lizzy,” he stated.
Jane accepted the letter. “Thank you, Hill,” she responded. “It is Aunt Maddie’s hand,” she observed after the retainer left the parlour. “Is it not coincidental we were speaking of the Gardiners, and a letterfrom our aunt arrived? I will hold it so we can read it together.”
The sisters moved closer together on the settee, and Jane broke the seal, before making sure it was easily seen by both of them.
4 May 1812
23 Gracechurch Street
London
Jane and Lizzy,
Your Uncle Edward and I trust my epistle finds you in good spirits.
We are very pleased by the changes which are being made at Longbourn. Obviously, there is one situation we are not sanguine with, but that is water long under the bridge. Lamenting about it will not achieve or change anything.
Your uncle and I were speaking, and we feel that some time away from Longbourn will be good for all four of you Bennet sisters at home at the time this is delivered.
I mentioned all four of you because we want you to join us, Jane. Before you demur, think about this. With all of the revelations of late, your mother and father would benefit from some time alone at home—just the two of them. You Jane, and here I am sure that Lizzy will not contradict me, will be a very welcome addition to our travelling party. Speaking of which, your uncle thought he would need to shorten his time away by almost half, but I am pleased to say that it is no longer an issue, and he is able to be away for the full 2 months.
The best part is that the invitation is for very soon (in a sennight, in truth)! We desire you to be with us before we leave for the holiday. With all thechanges in your family, we believe that it will benefit all of you, but especially Mary and Kitty, to be with us. We know your father is employing masters and a companion-governess. The masters are easy to find in London, and if the lady is employed in the next few days, she will be welcome to accompany the younger two into Berkshire. (More about that to follow.)
You two will be with us, while Mary and Kitty can get close to our four like you are. When we travel, they will remain with our children. We would not leave the children to the vile-smelling odours of summer in London while we travel north. To that end, very good friends of ours have an estate in Berkshire, right next to the market town of Wokingham. They have two children who are good friends of Peter and May.
I assure you, Jane, we would not extend this invitation unless it was something we absolutely desired. Having you with us would only enhance the experience for all of us. Before you say no, below is our itinerary.
We plan to leave our home on the 10th day of June and make for Meadowbrook, our friends’ estate in Berkshire. We will remain with them until Monday the 15th, the day we will farewell our children, Mary and Kitty.
Rather than rush, we will stop along the way to visit estates open for viewing and reach Lambton in Derbyshire by the 18th, or at the latest, the 19th. The plan is to call on friends of mine in the town where I grew up. We will depart Lambton for the lakes, which will take about 2 days of travel, the morning of the 22nd, which is Monday.
Your uncle hasrented a house not far from the shore of Lake Windermere in Bowness-on-Windermere; and yes, Jane, it has more than enough room for you as well. For the next month, we will explore the lakes and the northern peaks. There will be enough nature for Lizzy, this I promise.
We will arrive back in Lambton in mid-July and plan to stay there for a sennight, or possibly a little longer, and thereafter make for Meadowbrook where we will remain for a few days before returning to London.
Speak to your father. I am sure he will agree and not selfishly want to keep you home for his own amusement.
Hoping to receive an affirmative reply.
With my warmest regards,
Aunt Maddie
“Jane, please say you will come, with Papa’s permission, of course. Aunt Maddie must have known how much I would miss you,” Elizabeth enthused.
“I am not some simpleton to refuse such a chance. If Papa allows all of us to depart in a sennight, I too will accept Aunt Maddie’s invitation without delay. I agree that it will do Mary and Kitty much good to be at Gracechurch Street for a while and then to have an enjoyable time in Berkshire,” Jane stated.
“In that case, let us go see Papa now.” Elizabeth jumped up and dragged Jane behind her. Her pining for Mr Darcy was momentarily pushed to the side.
When his daughters conveyed the Gardiners’ invitation, Bennet was tempted to fall back on his old ways and refuse his permission for the four daughters to be away from Longbourn for more than two months. Thankfully, he was able to pushhis selfishness to the side and consider what his daughters would prefer and what was best for them. As such, there was only one reply he could give when he looked into his two eldest daughters’ expectant eyes. “Yes, you may all go. I agree with your aunt that it will be advantageous both for your mother and me to have time to repair our relationship and for Mary and Kitty to spend time with the Gardiners,” Bennet allowed. “I will miss all of you, but I am sure you will have invaluable experiences. If you are very lucky, you may meet William Wordsworth, who lives in Grasmere. I will inform your mother…today, not after you depart.”
