I hope I may count on you to make certain that she is properly outfitted for the Season.
Your very happy nephew,
Darcy
***
Darcy,
I am delighted that you are to marry Miss Elizabeth. I am, however, the only person here at Matlock House whoisdelighted.
I will be there, of course. I suspect you should not depend on my parents being present.
Richard
***
Dearest Brother and Sister,
It is with the greatest pleasure that I write to tell you that both Jane and Lizzy are engaged to be married! And to gentlemen of fortune! Jane will wed Mr. Bingley, the new neighbour I told you about when last I wrote! And Lizzy, much to everyone’s surprise, is engaged to Mr. Bingley’s friend, a Mr. Darcy of Pemberley! His estate is in Derbyshire, so it is possible, Madeleine, that you know him!
The double wedding will take place on the fourteenth of January. I know you will be here for Christmas; might we hope that you will venture forth again for the wedding? It could not possibly be a real celebration were you to be absent!
Much love from,
Fanny
***
Dear Fanny,
I read your letter with immense joy! I cannot imagine two young ladies more deserving of such happiness than our Jane and Lizzy!
I most certainly do know Mr. Darcy of Pemberley; or, I should say, I knowofhim, as we hardly move in the same social circles! I met his mother on more than one occasion, and she was everything gracious. To think of our Lizzy becoming Mrs. Darcy and living in that great house! I hope they will allow us to visit, as nothing would give me more pleasure than to drive around that park in a little phaeton.
I spoke with Edward, and we will very definitely come to the wedding. Be prepared for the amount of noise that three little boys can make!
We look forward to seeing you quite soon for the holidays!
With great excitement!
Madeleine
***
My dear Charlotte,
Here is news that I am certain will astonish you! Jane and Mr. Bingley are to wed on thefourteenth of January – wait, wait, that is not the surprising part. The surprise is that Mr. Darcy and I will wed on that date as well! Yes, a double wedding, just as Jane and I always dreamed of!
I know you have only now gotten settled into your parsonage, but I do dare to hope that you will be able to come to Meryton for the wedding; otherwise, I know not when we shall see one another again.
With hope and much love,
Lizzy (I refuse to write “Eliza”!)
***
Dear Eliza,
