Dear Mr. Darcy: A Retelling of Pride and Prejudice

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Dear Mr. Darcy: A Retelling of Pride and Prejudice Page 18

by Amanda Grange


  If Bath has not been the saving of my father, I believe it might be the saving of my brother.

  Your dear friend,

  Susan

  Miss Lucy Sotherton to Miss Mary Bennet

  Bath, December 27

  Hail!

  Do not start back in horror, I beg you, when you see the enclosed, for I have not left the path of Athena, indeed I have opened my mind to her wisdom, for on reading the dedication of this book, which at first I took to be a novel, I see that it is in fact a true story, and that the events described, though seemingly impossible, actually took place. They are of great historical and geographical value, as they occurred in Italy in the sixteenth century. Lest you should be reluctant to open it, let me state the full title here: The Mysteries of Udolpho: A Romance, Founded on Facts; Comprising the Adventures & Misfortunes of Emily St. Aubert.

  Emily is a young woman of noble virtue, superior sense and understanding. In short, dear friend, she is a Learned Woman. She would make a very useful addition to our select circle, were it not for the fact that she has been dead these two hundred years. Her conduct is exemplary, despite the many trials she passes through; similar, dear Mary, to the trials we daily pass through, though for her there were more dungeons and fewer bonnets.

  With this in mind I read it thoroughly, learning much about the Italian landscape, and the cruel and barbarous banditti who inhabit the hills, as well as the villainous nature of many of the men across the ocean. I enjoin you to read it, and to share with me your thoughts on the nature of the citizens of Europe, who, it would seem from this informative book, are prone to locking up innocent women and sacrificing them upon the altar of matrimony to wealthy, ignoble men. If you and I, dear Mary, were in such a position, forced into marriage by our coldhearted relations, I am sure that you and I, too, would escape by flying through the forests of England and taking refuge on holy ground.

  Your sister in study,

  Lucy

  Miss Mary Bennet to Miss Lucy Sotherton

  Longbourn, Hertfordshire,

  December 29

  Most noble Friend,

  Your gift has enlarged my knowledge of the Continent and its strange practises, for which I thank you. I perused it assiduously this afternoon, and could scarcely put it aside when we had to leave for Lucas Lodge, so enlightening did I find it. I believe you are right in your conjecture that, should we ever be forced into marriage with wealthy counts who have murdered their previous wives, we would take refuge in holy places. It is therefore convenient that I am acquainted with Mr Collins, who would, I am sure, accommodate me at the rectory in the event of such a misfortune, and who, I am persuaded, would also find room for you.

  Mr Collins was the chief topic of conversation at the Lucases’ tonight. Sir William happened to mention that Charlotte had been blessed with her husband, who was in every way an estimable son-in-law, and who combined the virtues of an excellent living with the blessings of a noble patroness in the form of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Mama was so annoyed that she said, ‘If Elizabeth had not been such an obstinate girl, she could have had Mr Collins, and not Charlotte.’

  I believe it was this very obstinacy which caused Mr Collins to withdraw his offer and seek consolation elsewhere. Mama was of the opinion that if Charlotte Lucas had not been so artful, Mr Collins would have proposed to me. If he had done so, I might have felt it my Duty to accept him, for although I have otherwise foresworn marriage, I think that Mr Collins has some intelligence and with a settled course of reading, such as that on which you and I are now embarked, he might have one day become, if not a Learned Woman, a Learned Gentleman. And might it not be our Duty, if such is the case, to put aside our own feelings and embrace the marital path?

  However, as he was ensnared by the feminine wiles of Charlotte Lucas, such questions need not trouble us, dear Lucy.

  Your sister in learning,

  Mary

  Miss Jane Bennet to Miss Caroline Bingley

  Longbourn, Hertfordshire,

  December 31

  My dear Caroline,

  Thank you for your letter. I was pleased to hear all your news and I am glad that you and Louisa are keeping well. I was sorry to hear you were not to return to Netherfield, but I hope we will be able to see each other soon, for I am happy to say that I will be travelling to London tomorrow, as I am to stay for some time with my aunt and uncle. I am enclosing my uncle’s address so that we might arrange a meeting. I will be very glad to see you again.

  Truly yours,

  Jane

  JANUARY

  Miss Elizabeth Bennet to Miss Susan Sotherton

  Longbourn, Hertfordshire,

  January 1

  My dear Susan,

  My aunt and uncle have gone, taking Jane with them. I am glad she is to have a change of scene and, although I did not say so to her, I think there is some chance she might renew her acquaintance with Mr Bingley. My aunt told me it must not be thought of, as they live in such a different part of town that a meeting is unlikely, but if Mr Bingley learns that Jane is in London, I think it not unlikely that his former affection will be restored.

  As for his sister Caroline, I wish that Jane could see her in her true colours, for she is a cold, supercilious young woman who will drop Jane just as soon as it suits her.

  I hope your affair with Mr Wainwright is prospering, since our affairs all seem doomed at the moment. I am still very fond of Mr Wickham, who grows more agreeable every day, but my aunt has cautioned me against him—not because of his character but because of his lack of fortune. I have promised her to do my best not to fall in love with him. But it makes me think, Susan, where fortune is concerned, where does good sense end and avarice begin? If it is wrong to marry a man for his fortune, why is it then equally wrong to marry a man without a fortune? I will only hope that Mr Wickham will discover one of the wealthy great-uncles who have been so singularly lacking in our own lives, and that the said uncle will leave him a moderate fortune: not substantial enough to make me a fortune hunter, but large enough for us to live on with a degree of comfort.

  Charlotte’s—I cannot say love, I had better say affairs—are, however, prospering. Mr Collins has returned to Meryton, but thankfully this time he is staying at Lucas Lodge and not at Longbourn. Tomorrow is to be the wedding day.

  Charlotte has asked me to write to her often and I have promised to do so. I have also promised to visit her in Kent in March, when her father and her sister go there. I promised only reluctantly at first, as there can never be the closeness between us that there once was, but I find that I am looking forward to it. It will make a welcome change from home, I must confess, for Mama has still not stopped complaining that she has been cruelly used by Mr Collins, by Mr Bingley and by everyone else of her acquaintance. Besides, I am curious to see the parsonage and to meet Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

  Your dear friend,

  Lizzy

  Miss Jane Bennet to Miss Elizabeth Bennet

  Gracechurch Street, London,

  January 2

  My dear Lizzy,

  A short note to let you know that we have arrived safely and it is already doing me good to be here. I have nothing further to say, but when I write to you again, I hope to be able to give you news of the Bingleys. Now that Caroline knows I am in town, I am sure she will call here soon.

  Your loving sister,

  Jane

  Mrs Charlotte Collins to Miss Elizabeth Bennet

  Hunsford, near Westerham, Kent,

  January 5

  Dear Eliza,

  You will be wanting to hear all about my new life and I am only too ready to tell you. Everything here is much as I expected, and it is all to my satisfaction. The parsonage is a good house, better even than I had hoped. It is well proportioned and although it is rather small it is well built and convenient. It is set back from the road amidst a large and well laid out garden which slopes down to the road at the front, so that we can see everyone who passes and, beyond
the road, we can see Rosings Park. To the back, we have fine views over fields, and I know you will enjoy walking in them.

  We have dined already at Rosings. I believe that Lady Catherine wanted to take a look at me, her curiosity being natural, and I was not sorry to become acquainted with her. She is a respectable, sensible woman and a most attentive neighbour.

  There is not much in the way of society, as the parsonage is some way from the nearest town, but I knew to begin with that it would take time for me to settle into my new neighbourhood and so I do not complain. I have my home and my housekeeping, my parish and my poultry to keep me busy, and I am getting to know my way about the place. I am pleased with everything and have no fault to find.

  Write to me soon,

  Charlotte

  Miss Jane Bennet to Miss Elizabeth Bennet

  Gracechurch Street, London,

  January 6

  My dearest Lizzy will forgive me for not writing sooner, but I have had very little to report. I have been a week in town without either seeing or hearing from Caroline. I am surprised, and I can only account for it by thinking that my last letter to her must have gone astray. My aunt is going tomorrow into that part of the town, and I shall take the opportunity of calling in Grosvenor Street. I will write more then, when I hope I will have more to say.

  January 7

  I have paid my call. I did not think Caroline in spirits, but she was very glad to see me, and reproached me for giving her no notice of my coming to London. I was right, therefore; my last letter had never reached her. I enquired after their brother, of course. He was well, but so much engaged with Mr Darcy that they scarcely ever saw him. I found that Miss Darcy was expected to dinner. I wish I could see her. My visit was not long, as Caroline and Mrs Hurst were going out. I dare say I shall see them soon here.

  Your loving sister,

  Jane

  Miss Elizabeth Bennet to Mrs Charlotte Collins

  Longbourn, Hertfordshire, January 8

  I am glad you find everything to your liking in Kent. The parsonage and garden sound everything you want, and if anyone could bring out the best in them, dear Charlotte, it is you.

  Life in Hertfordshire is much as it was before you left. My sister, Jane, as you know, has gone to London, and finds the amusements lively, but she has not had a chance to see Mr Bingley. It is obvious that his sisters do not mean to let her have him. Poor Jane! Always so good. She cannot see through Caroline’s lies, for Caroline did not visit her in London and then, when Jane called, pretended that news of Jane’s stay in London had not arrived. I do not know whether to wish that Jane would see through her false friend, or whether to wish that she should preserve her goodness despite the fact that Caroline does not deserve her confidence.

  We have our share of amusements here. The weather is fine and I walk a great deal, sometimes accompanied by the officers. I must confess that I like Mr Wickham more and more each day, despite my efforts to resist his charms. If only he had a fortune! Or at least the rectory he was promised, and the living he should have had, if Mr Darcy had not deprived him of it. That odious man! To ruin forever the prospects of such an admirable young man as Mr Wickham. I am glad that Mr Darcy is not to return to the neighbourhood, for I would almost certainly tell him what I thought of him and his cruel behaviour.

  I have heard from Susan. Her affair with Mr Wainwright proceeds apace. I think it is serious on both their sides and would not be surprised to hear news of an engagement soon.

  Kitty and Lydia send their love.

  Lizzy

  Mr Wickham to Mr Parker

  Meryton, Hertfordshire,

  January 10

  A stroke of luck. One of the Meryton ladies, Miss King, has been left a fortune of ten thousand pounds. I heard of it by chance and managed to pay her some compliments before it was generally known, so that she did not suspect me of being a fortune hunter. She was flattered and giggled encouragingly: she is a plain girl, and I believe it was the first time anyone had ever taken any notice of her. Ten thousand is not a great fortune, it is true, but in my present circumstances it is better than nothing.

  I have had to gradually withdraw my attentions from Miss Elizabeth, which is a pity, as I like her very well; in fact, if things were different I might be tempted by her. But as they are, I cannot marry a woman with so little and I must look elsewhere. She has noticed my defection, of course, but there was a look of understanding and resignation in her eye and I think she does not despise me for it. She knows how the world works as well as I do. A man must have something to live on, and that is the way of things. And so I pursue Miss King and if I am lucky, I will soon be the master of her ten thousand pounds. Then you must come and stay with us. It will relieve you of the expense of living and give me some company, for Lord knows I need someone lively here. The other officers are well enough in their way, but their interests are not mine and I feel I am always playing a part in front of them. With you I can be myself, for you are as bad as I am.

  Wickham

  Miss Mary Bennet to Miss Lucy Sotherton

  Longbourn, Hertfordshire,

  January 12

  Most noble Friend,

  I am sending you my thoughts on our latest history, misleadingly entitled A Sicilian Romance, when A Young Lady’s Exploration of the Geology of Her Native Country would have been a more suitable title. It was a very illuminating document and I was enthralled by the account of the labyrinthine catacombs to be found beneath the marquis’s castle. The rock on which it was built must have been of some soft variety, and the caves were no doubt made by the act of water upon the stone.

  I was also entranced by the musical content of this most worthy tome, and interested to know that Julia’s singing had alerted her dead mother’s friend to her presence in the wilderness. This aspect of the human voice is often overlooked in histories, but its power for reuniting lost loved ones is nevertheless an important one. And how deeply philosophical were the reflections of Hippolitus. I am glad that you found such a useful book in the circulating library, and I am gratified that it was written by a woman. I have written to Mrs Radcliffe and invited her to join our select circle of Learned Women.

  I have recommended the work to Mr Shackleton. It is good to know that there is one person in Meryton who has a brain, even if, when I told him I was thinking of becoming a bluestocking, he said that he was sure I would be the most intelligent girl in Meryton, whatever the colour of my stockings. I had to inform him that a bluestocking was a Learned Woman who spent her time in rational activities, and who discussed literature and other intellectual things, instead of wasting her time on balls and bonnets. He listened attentively and then apologised earnestly for his mistake. I told him graciously that it was no matter, and we continued to have a lively discussion about music and literature.

  To be sure, I thought I had misjudged him when I felt his hand on my knee. But when I reproved him, saying that we were in Meryton and not in Sodom and Gomorrah, he was heartily offended and said that he had merely been brushing a moth from my gown.

  It was then my turn to apologise.

  Your sister in all but relatedness,

  Mary

  Miss Lydia Bennet to Miss Eleanor Sotherton

  Longbourn, Hertfordshire,

  January 18

  Dear Ellie,

  Such larks! We were at my aunt Philips’s house last night and Captain Carter was there and he pretended to be Colonel Forster. He cut off a lock of my hair and used it to make a moustache. We laughed and laughed.

  Talking of Colonel Forster, the rumours are true, he is to be married.

  Miss Watson pretends to care nothing of it, but Kitty says that Miss Watson suspected something last November and told him that if he could not tell her it was a lie he had better not come to her house again. So that is why he stopped going there.

  It seems he has known Miss Harriet Brown for years. She lives in his hometown and there was an understanding between them, but then she was cool
to him the last time he was home on leave and so that is why he took up with Miss Watson. But now Miss Harriet is smiling on him again.

  He is to be married next month, or soon after, and he is to bring Miss Harriet to Meryton. She is not much older than I am, and Mama said if he had not been spoken for already she was sure Colonel Forster would have proposed to me. I wonder what his wife will be like. I hope she will be fond of dancing and give lots of balls.

  Lizzy has not been so lucky. Mr Wickham has deserted her for Mary King—nasty freckled thing—just because Miss King inherited ten thousand pounds. I am sure I cannot blame Miss King for wanting him, he is ever so handsome, but I wish Lizzy could inherit ten thousand pounds and then she could have him. Or even better I could inherit it and then I could be Mrs Wickham! I will be sixteen in June and I hope to be married soon after. What fun it would be to be married before my sisters, and to be married to someone as handsome as Mr Wickham!

  Kitty sends her love but is too busy to write as she is trimming her bonnet.

  Your good friend,

  Lydia

  Miss Eleanor Sotherton to Miss Lydia Bennet

  Bath, January 20

  I wish we had some officers here, everyone is ancient, at least a hundred, and they talk of nothing but their gout, all except my sister Susan, who is newly engaged to Mr Wainwright. He is very handsome and very rich and I wish he had a brother for me to marry but he has only three sisters.

  Frederick is surprisingly sober. Lucy is as prosy as ever. She is busy reading a novel which she insists is a history book. She is making extracts from it and then making notes on the extracts, just as if it were a learned work. She thinks it is a treatise on the iniquities of the Catholic Church and the causes of the French Revolution, when it is nothing but a story about a girl whose wicked father has locked her mother in the catacombs so that he can marry someone else. But at least it is better than her sermonizing and telling us to study all the time.

  Hurry up and marry someone and then invite me to stay. If I have to live in Bath much longer I will die of boredom.

 

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