Letters From the Heart

by Kay Bea

  Of their mother, I cannot say too little.

  Bingley has settled upon an estate, and he will make the purchase by month’s end. He does not intend to take possession until spring as another little Bingley is scheduled to arrive in January. Grey Manor is but ten miles from Pemberley, and as Miss Catherine will live with her eldest sister after the move, I expect we shall exchange frequent visits. Georgiana is in raptures at the promise of having a friend situated so near to her. Miss Bennet and Miss Lydia will likely often be guests at one or other of the homes. Miss Lydia has lately begun applying to her father for the purchase of a harp and was most happy to learn she might practice on the one at Pemberley whenever she should visit.

  Mr Bennet, Miss Bennet, and Mrs Bingley are lately returned from Kent. Mrs Bingley is inclined to speak only in the best terms of her sister’s continued improvement, but one can see the tightening around her eyes and a slight pursing of her lips when she does so. Mr Bennet and Miss Bennet are more forward with their concerns, but not in the presence of Miss Catherine or Miss Lydia. From the three travellers I am given to understand that, while Elizabeth’s physical injuries are healing well, her spirit suffers greatly. I do not believe I have ever seen Mr Bennet so moved to action. That he was unhappy regarding Elizabeth’s marriage is no great secret; however, I believe encountering the unpleasant truth of her situation in such a direct manner has reawakened his outrage as nothing else might have done. He has begun repairs on the former dowager house at Longbourn, and he says Mrs Bennet will be removed to that location as soon as it is liveable.

  Mrs Bennet faces other consequences as well. She is no longer included in any invitation to her daughter’s home, the younger Miss Bennets spend the better part of each day away from her presence, and though the specific circumstances are not generally known, the fact that she is so often excluded from her family party has been much remarked upon and resulted in a narrowing of her social circle. In short, the lady who forced this situation now finds herself very much alone. I save my compassion for her daughter.

  Your cousin,

  Fitzwilliam Darcy

  November 1, 1813

  Rosings Park, Kent

  Dear Jane,

  Grey Manor sounds perfectly charming, and I think you and my brother are quite wise to take possession in the spring. To undertake a move in the winter, and so close to your confinement would be arduous indeed. I am sorry to hear Mama has been so trying; perhaps it will make the time of removal less burdensome as you will be relieved to be out of her daily presence. To take Catherine with you is a kindness I am certain she will appreciate.

  I should thank you and Mary again and again for your kind attentions in September. I am sure if Papa had come alone he would have been quite at a loss, and I confess that I was in great need of your company as well. My hostess tells me I should inform my family of my continued recovery, though I have been loath to write of it as I do not believe words can adequately express how greatly changed I am from the poor bedraggled creature of September. I shall start with the area of least recovery. I am certain you will not be surprised to learn that I do not sleep well at all. Indeed my cousin plagues my dreams so that I have little desire to engage in the activity.

  Not all my news is so terrible. My appetite for both food and life is returning, and I must say that Rosings is an excellent place to recover one’s spirits, though not perhaps so excellent as Pemberley proved to be last spring. Lady Catherine and Anne have been most attentive in making sure every meal contains some or other favourite of mine. They were quite convinced, as I believe you were, that I was too thin before. I have very nearly recovered my former energy and can now enjoy frequent walks about the grounds. I had not realised how greatly I missed my morning rambles. Fret not, for I am never without an escort. I do try not to chaff at this restriction, as I understand the necessity of such measures. The escort is not nearly so much an insult to my desire for independence as being restricted to the parsonage had been for so many months.

  I thank you and my brother for the kind invitation to join you first at Netherfield and then on to Grey Manor. As much as I would wish to be able to accept, I fear it is impossible. So long as Mr Collins retains a legal claim on my life, I am best beyond his reach here. I shall not scruple to say I would not likely come to Netherfield in any case. Mama has been vigorous in her objections to my current status, and I cannot conceive of placing you or any of the rest of my family in what would surely be a most awkward position. Perhaps if Papa carries through with his plans to remove her to the dowager house, I might reconsider. Until then I am quite resigned to live out my days at Rosings in this strange state of being neither single nor truly married.

  November 4, 1813

  Oh, Jane surely you will think me to be the most unnatural creature that ever was when you read these next lines. I had just set my mind to close this letter when an unexpected visitor arrived. You can well imagine how guarded the entire household has been of late, so I do not exaggerate when I say the man was nearly turned away before he could state what he was about. He was an assistant to the local magistrate. It seems a carriage was found overturned on the London road that very morning. The driver and passenger both suffered mortal injuries.

  To be very plain, sister, I am now a widow. Mr Collins is dead. I confess to you alone that I felt nothing but relief at the news. There, I have said it, and you may judge me as uncaring and unnatural as may be.

  It has now been three days since we heard the report of my cousin’s demise. As I am his nearest relative (in fact our family are his only living relations) it fell to me to make the arrangements. I shall not deceive you: I was most pleased to leave the entire matter to Mr Addison. I hardly know what more to write save that I am grateful that the support of my dear friends means I do not have to determine the course of my future today.

  Your unashamedly relieved sister,

  Elizabeth Collins (might I ever rid myself of his name?)

  November 6, 1813

  Darcy House, London

  Dear Richard,

  Georgiana and I departed Hertfordshire somewhat sooner than anticipated. If you are still of a mind to receive visitors, we shall be happy to join you at Finmere for some weeks. May G-d forgive me, I can find naught but joy in the cause of our removal. Bingley and Mr Bennet have gone to Kent in response to news from that quarter.

  Mrs Bingley received an express from Elizabeth two days past. Mr Collins is dead, and my Elizabeth is a widow. I have been assured she does not regret the loss. Elizabeth’s letter said only there had been a carriage accident.

  Being possessed of a naturally inquisitive nature, I sent my own express to Addison in hopes of learning further details. I was immensely satisfied with his prompt reply. It appears Mr Collins was not so subject to the will of our aunt as had first been supposed and had begun to investigate how he might remove Elizabeth from our aunt’s care. He did not think to find sympathy or assistance in Kent and therefore determined to travel to London. In his haste to depart, he gave no consideration to the conditions of the road or the time of day; instead, he waved his purse about the local inn until some desperate soul agreed to begin the journey though dark was rapidly approaching and a recent storm had left the roads in remarkably poor condition. Apparently, it is true that money does not buy sense. The next morning the carriage was found overturned and both the driver and Mr Collins had sustained mortal injuries. Though it was not disclosed to Elizabeth, the magistrate believes Mr Collins did not perish instantly but rather suffered from his wounds for some time. You may think me unnatural and cruel, but I can only hope the magistrate is correct in his beliefs. Not even with Wickham have I ever before wished such a fate on my fellow man.

  Mr and Mrs Addison have offered a home to Elizabeth for as long as she wishes to remain in their care. They have extended that hospitality to whichever of her sisters she wishes to invite. It is odd to think of Elizabeth in permanent residence at Rosings. I could not have imagined such a th
ing coming to pass. I do not know what this change in Elizabeth’s status will mean for me. Perhaps nothing. It is not likely I shall see the lady until we visit Kent in March, and even then, she will not yet be in half-mourning.

  I do hope to at least renew our acquaintance at that time and determine whether there is even a possibility I might someday earn her approbation. What a terrible fate that would be—to at last be free to pursue Elizabeth only to discover she does not care for me. It is not a thought I care to dwell upon. Instead, I shall rejoice that she is at last safe and free.

  Your unabashedly grateful cousin,

  Fitzwilliam Darcy

  December 15, 1813

  Rosings Park, Kent

  Dear Jane,

  It is nearly impossible to think that another Christmas is nearly upon us. I had thought to come to you at Netherfield to join in the family celebrations. However, I find that is no longer possible. I have in my possession a letter from Mama making it very clear that, despite the entail having been broken with my cousin’s death, I am still very much out of favour with that lady. She blames me for Mr Collins’s death and says I failed in my duty by not producing an heir. There is more, but in the end, she says I am no longer welcome at Longbourn. I fear the breach between us is now complete.

  Though I know my father would easily overrule his wife, I have no wish to subject myself to Mama’s temper, and no matter how I miss all my family, I cannot add to the disruption of the household. Therefore, I shall have to wait some time before seeing you all again. Do not worry for me; I shall not spend the holiday alone. Anne’s Aunt Fitzwilliam, Lady Matlock, has graciously included me in the general invitation to spend the holiday season with the Fitzwilliam-Darcy-De Bourgh families at Ashford Lodge. Mr and Mrs Addison will travel to Bath to be with his family while I go with Lady Catherine to Derbyshire. I am given to understand it is a lovely estate, and I confess that the thought of spending the season with a large family, even if it is not my own, gives me pleasure.

  I have enclosed some small gifts for my family, even my mother. I dare not send them directly to Longbourn so I shall trust you to have them safely delivered.

  Happy Christmas, dear sister.

  Elizabeth

  December 1813, Ashford Lodge, Derbyshire

  The combined Fitzwilliam and Darcy families were gathered in a large sitting room speaking of Christmases long past and laughing together over their shared childhood exploits. Elizabeth joined in where she could and shared a few tales of her own.

  Mr Darcy used the opportunity to ask the lady at his side. “How do you find Ashford?”

  “I think it second only to Pemberley in beauty. Pray do not tell your aunt I said so. I would not wish to appear ungrateful,” Elizabeth replied with a slight smile.

  “I do not think you are capable of such a thing. Perhaps later in the week, Georgiana and I might introduce you to the sculpture garden. It is situated near enough to the house as to be easily accessible even in winter, and the path is well maintained.”

  “I should like that very much, Mr Darcy. Anne speaks well of her time at Ashford Lodge, and I find I wish to experience it myself.”

  Georgiana spoke then, “Oh, brother, we must take Elizabeth for a sleigh ride!”

  Lady Matlock heard this and gave her support to the scheme. “You should make a party of it. We have sleighs and horses enough to spare. Only tell me when you wish to go out, and I shall have refreshments waiting for your return.”

  The idea gained universal approval, and the following evening, three sleighs were readied for the outing. Lady Amelia joined Richard, the Viscount and his wife took the second sleigh, and Elizabeth and Georgiana were bundled into the third with Darcy. The horses moved at a steady pace over the grounds, and Elizabeth’s eyes were filled with wonder. Snow clung to hedges and trees like a soft blanket while icicles hung glistening in the faint light of the moon. Georgiana clutched Elizabeth’s right hand in her left and laughed as the snow began to fall. Across from them, Darcy wondered whether he had ever seen anyone as lovely as the woman across from him with her eyes alight with joy and a smile dancing across her face.

  December 27, 1813

  Ashford Lodge, Derbyshire

  Dear Bingley,

  I write solely to bring your family news of their beloved sister. Georgiana and I arrived at Ashford Lodge with Richard on December 10. We were joined over the next several days by the Viscount and Countess Hargrove and Lady Amelia. The most welcome addition to our family party joined us on the seventeenth when Elizabeth arrived in the company of Lady Catherine. I do not have to tell you: I had no need of further gifts.

  Elizabeth is so greatly changed from when I last saw her as to astonish me. She is very nearly restored to her former self. Though I have not yet heard her laugh, I have seen her smile every day. We are quite often thrown together as, with the exception of Lady Catherine, the rest of the party are paired off in couples. Georgiana is quite taken with Elizabeth, and the two of them often entertain the company with a duet. When Elizabeth is not reading or playing, she is most likely to be found walking through the sculpture gardens, which are especially enchanting this time of year. I take great delight in joining her as often as possible, and I am sometimes accompanied by Georgiana. She was particularly delighted when she joined Georgiana and me for a sleigh ride about the park. The ladies were well protected with thick blankets and warming stones for their hands and feet. Once we began the tour, a smile that was, I am certain, entirely too wide to be strictly proper spread across her face, and there it remained for several hours. We returned rosy-cheeked and quite ready for the hot chocolate my aunt had requested.

  I do not think I exaggerate when I say this holiday has been most agreeable for Elizabeth. She has been well received by all my family. Indeed, it is as if she has always been among us. Your sister has a remarkable talent for setting everyone at ease with her manners and speech. She has regaled the company with tales of Christmas among four sisters and takes delight in every story told in return. Though there is a light in your sister’s eyes that I had thought long extinguished, there is also a hint of sadness there when she speaks of her family; I believe she misses them dearly.

  Georgiana has informed me of a desire to invite Miss Bennet, Miss Catherine, and Miss Lydia to Pemberley in the spring, and though Georgiana has not yet said so, I am certain the invitation will be extended to include Elizabeth. I must ask you to keep this information in confidence as we would not like any of the ladies to be disappointed if there is a change in our plans. Perhaps when she is again in the company of her sisters, I shall be privileged to hear Elizabeth laugh.

  Yours in friendship,

  Fitzwilliam Darcy

  January 31, 1814

  Ashford Lodge, Derbyshire

  Dear Jane,

  Once again, I offer my congratulations on the arrival of my niece. Despite the testimony of her grandfather, I believe it is much too early to say she has my disposition. Surely, with two such agreeable parents, any daughter of yours must be infinitely more complying than her aunt could ever hope to be. I am happy to learn you passed the holidays in relative peace and that our dear Catherine has decided to follow you to Derbyshire.

  We leave tomorrow to return to Rosings. Our holiday in Ashford has been all that is delightful. Georgiana asks that I pass on her regards to Mary, Catherine, and Lydia. I believe she intends to invite them to visit her at Pemberley—only do not say anything as I would not wish to disappoint our sisters if the event should be postponed. As Catherine is going with you and I hope to have Mary join me, perhaps she will have to settle for Lydia alone. It seems that would be of benefit to both as Lydia’s liveliness might lessen Georgiana’s reserve and from Georgiana, Lydia might learn some little restraint. With Catherine and Mary both absent from Longbourn, I fear a little for Lydia as she will have no elder sisters to guide her and may turn again to her mother for companionship. Perhaps we might take turns to host her. Both Anne and Lady Catherine have ex
pressed again and again that I may invite any of my family to come whenever I am so inclined.