Your deliriously happy daughter,
Mary
***
Catherine,
As I wrote earlier, Richard is to marry the new Mrs. Darcy’s sister on the ninth of March. I have just learnt that your rector’s wife is Mrs. Darcy’s best friend and, as a result of this nonsensical feud you have going on with Darcy, they fear they shall never see one another again.
I insist that you allow Mrs. Collins to attend Richard’s wedding. For that matter, send Anne as well. It would do her good to get away from that mausoleum of yours. Mrs. Collins may stay at Darcy House; I am certain they can squeeze in one more. Anne will stay with me.
I know you will fight me on this, so I will just add one thing. If you do not comply, I will tell everyone what your precious Sir Lewis de Bourgh did on your wedding day.
Ellen
***
Dear Lydia,
I would never forget your birthday! Your gift is here at Darcy House, waiting for you. I expect you will wish to wear it to Mary’s wedding.
Lizzy
Chapter Eighty-Eight
For Mary, the next several weeks passed in a blur of activity. She had, in her opinion, enough clothing to last her the remainder of her life. The Countess did not agree. As a result, she was taken on another shopping trip to buy yet more gowns, slippers, cloaks, and so on.
During the ride home, the Countess cleared her throat several times and finally said, with uncharacteristic hemimg and hawing, “Mary, do you need me to explain what will happen on your wedding night?”
“Oh, no!” Mary replied, cheeks immediately aflame. “Mama explained that to all of us girls ages ago.”
“Thank heavens for practical countrywomen!” the Countess said, with such evident relief in her voice that Mary burst out laughing.
“But I must say, Countess, that I wonder just how you would have described it,” Mary dared to say.
“Let us be grateful that we need not find out!” the Countess replied.
***
Georgiana was in such a fever of anticipation over having Lydia and Kitty at Darcy House that Elizabeth was concerned the girl would make herself ill. But her husband comforted her, saying, “It is such a joy to see her happy and excited that I would not rein her in for all the world.”
When the Bennet carriage finally pulled up, Georgiana ran out the door and into the street, hugging her ‘Bennet sisters’ and her ‘Bennet mother’ with all her might.
“This is where you live?” Lydia’s eyes were wide.
“Yes, come inside! The two of you will have to share a room, as Mary is here and Lizzy’s friend Charlotte might come as well. Pemberley has endless guest rooms, but the townhouse has only two. Charlotte and Mary will share.”
“Charlotte! Charlotte Lucas?” Lydia was astonished.
“Yes, only do not say anything, it is meant to be a surprise.” Georgiana bit her lip, evidently chagrined at having let the cat out of the bag. “And we are not at all certain that Aunt Catherine will allow her to come.”
“If it is meant to be a secret, then you certainly should not have told Lydia,” Kitty said. “She cannot keep a secret, it is well-known!”
“Me?!” Lydia’s mouth dropped open in outrage. “Why, how can you tell such stories! It wasyouwho told Mama that Mary had a kitten in her room!”
“Only because Mary would not let me wear her new green ribbon!”
Georgiana’s shocked expression at such behaviour immediately reminded both girls to mind their manners. They both dropped their eyes and apologised. They followed Georgiana inside, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet trailing behind.
