“It took me some years, first learning and then playing against my father, to know that he was thinking many moves ahead so I trained myself to do it. Not all of us can learn at the speed that Lizzy here does, or remember every possibility as she is able to,” Will explained.
“Our neighbour, Mr Bennet, has not been beaten for many years according to Sir William Lucas, who has played against him for years. Even though he loses each time he enjoys the company and Mr Bennet’s excellent port,” Bingley informed the cousins.
“I met the gentleman briefly when I stayed with you that first Easter; had I known that he was a chess virtuoso I would have requested to play against him.” William was sorry that he had missed the opportunity, but he would not let the chance get by him again the next time that he visited the Bingleys at Netherfield Park.
“He is a Cambridge man, as all good men are,” Bingley ribbed,“he had seen the record that your father had as unbeaten while he was there and I believe he would enjoy playing against both of you, and you, too, Lizzy.”
“How would he know that I play chess?” asked the intrigued young lady. Bingley informed the cousins how he had mentioned that she beat both father and son.“Well, if that be the case, I will write a move for Mr Bennet; when you return home, give it to him and our direction if he wants to play a game with me via the post. If not, I will have to challenge him if we are ever in the area again.” Elizabeth wrote her opening move and handed it to her cousin’s friend.
“Rather than wait, I will send him a missive now with your challenge and direction,” Bingley enthused.
“Either wait until you return to Netherfield or have Lizzy write the missive; your handwriting is nigh on unreadable, Bingley,” William pointed out.
“Yes, I dare say that it is. Will you write the letter for me, Lizzy?” he requested. Elizabeth nodded and went to the escritoire in the corner of the library and wrote what Charles Bingley dictated. He signed at the bottom and after it was closed and sealed, Elizabeth wrote the direction so that the post would have a chance at getting it to the desired address.
When she wrote the name of the estate, Longbourn, a deeply recessed memory stirred, but she could not place it, so she filed it as a random unexplained memory. She was sure that she had never been there before and when Charles explained that it was between Netherfield and Bennington Fields, Lizzy assumed that she had seen the name on a sign in the area.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Bennet was sitting in his study with his brother Gardiner when the post was delivered. Besides moving into Portman Square, the Gardiners had been blessed with Edward Junior. Eddy, as everyone called him affectionately, was born in June of 1801. Maddie was with child again but as she had not felt the quickening yet, neither she nor her husband had shared the news yet. From his combined share in Gardiner and Associates and the Bingley Carriage Works, the Gardiner income had just topped ten thousand pounds per annum.
He was going to leave the letter until later as Bennet did not recognise the flowing feminine script on the outside. His curiosity got the better of him, so he opened the missive and read:
7 July 1804
Pemberley, Derbyshire
Bennet recognised the name of the estate as the Darcys had purchased horses from him but could not imagine why one of the Darcy ladies was writing to him, so he continued reading.
Mr Bennet,
I am sure that the handwriting has confused you. This letter is from me, Charles Bingley, and is being kindly written for me as I dictate by Lady Elizabeth Fitzwilliam. If you have not had the pleasure, I am told that my writing is ridiculously hard to read. I think that my friends exaggerate, but nevertheless I requested help to make sure that you are able to read this.
Bennet grinned and Gardiner looked at him questioningly.“It is from young Bingley, but it has been pointed out to him that his writing is illegible, so he had a young lady write for him,” he explained. Gardiner, having seen the young man’s attempt at writing once, understood and broke into a grin himself.
While watching Lady Elizabeth make quick work of her Cousin William Darcy, I relayed to them your prowess with the game and that I mentioned the skill of the young lady in question.
She would like to know if you would be willing to play a game by post, her first move is included if you agree. Her direction is Snowhaven Estate, Derbyshire.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.
Sincerely,
Charles Bingley
Below his name was a postscript from the lady herself.
PS. I would appreciate it if you would be willing to play against me sir. I beat both my Uncle George and Cousin William too easily and need a challenge, if you do not mind being beaten by a girl of thirteen!
Lady Elizabeth Fitzwilliam
“Impertinent is she not?” Gardiner said with a wide grin. He did not notice the look on Bennets face. Gardiner looked up when his brother-in-law had been silent for some time and seemed to be staring at an undetermined point outside the window.
“She is the same age as my Lizzy would be,” Bennet finally stated as he thought about the daughter that was no longer with him.
“Yes, she is, and it seems is very proficient at chess. Will you accept the challenge?” Gardiner asked.
“Of course, I will,” Bennet said as he set up his spare chess board and made her move. He then made one of his own and wrote it in his letter of acceptance to be posted back to the young lady; in fact he would use his courier.“It will be like playing with my Lizzy if she had not been stolen from us.”
